Lexington- Memorial services for Kay Wright Rush, 67, will be 5:00 pm Thursday August 23, 2012 at Barr-Price Funeral Home and Crematorium Lexington Chapel with the Rev. Leon Rawl officiating. There will be a private "Spreading of the Ashes" in Lancaster, SC on Saturday August 25th followed by a "Family & Friends Gathering" from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at the home of Dulan Mills, 6487 Oak Hill Church Road, Lancaster, SC 29720. Dr. Rush passed away Sunday August 19, 2012. She was born on December 10, 1944 in Lancaster, SC a daughter of the late Ernest and Eva Mae West Wright.
Dr. Rush is survived by her husband, Jake Rush, daughter, Kacie Rush, son, Jeffrey Rush and wife Melissa, grandchildren, Damien, Payton, Haley, and Silas Rush, brother, "Joe Ben" Wright of Ruby, SC (Formerly of Lancaster, SC). Also by Many Nieces and Nephews who affectionately knew her as "Rich Aunt "and "Miss Emily" Kay". She was predeceased by her brothers; Baby boy Wright, John E. Wright, Fred Wright, Jim Wright, Eulece Wright and Clyde Wright, sisters, Mae Belle Bundy, Ardeth Wright, Ruth Mills, Rena Beckham and Chloe Carnes. In audition to her parents, brothers and sisters she was predeceased by a very special Uncle, Norman Wright of Lancaster, SC. Dr. Rush graduated from Buford High School in 1963. She earned a B.S. in Physical Education from Winthrop University where she was a member of the Physical Education Alumni Association and was honored as a Distinguished Alumni. After graduating from Winthrop, Dr. Rush began coaching and teaching physical education at Greenwood High School. She also taught in the Department of Defense Schools at RAF Bentwaters-Woodbridge Air Bases, Woodbridge, United Kingdom for two years. Upon her return she began teaching special education at Spring Valley High School. Dr. Rush became interested in teaching children with special needs through her own experience with orthopedic disability and was among the first group of teachers in South Carolina to earn a Master's Degree in Special Education in 1975 at the University of South Carolina. In 1985 Kay earned her Doctorate in Special Education and began work in Lexington School District One as the Director of Special Education. Dr. Rush retired from Lexington One in 2006 but remained active serving as a member of the School Improvement Council and substitute teacher for the Lexington One Alternative Learning Center (FOCUS). Throughout her career, Dr. Rush was active in professional associations. She was a founding member and president of the local chapter and a board member and Governor of the South Carolina Federation for the Council for Exceptional Children and was a member of the Executive Board and Chairman of the Finance Committee for the National Council for Exceptional Children. She also was a member of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators where she served as a board member and president of the Allied Division. As a member of the Lexington County Education Association-Retired she held leadership positions as a board member and president of the association. Dr. Rush was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church where she was a den mother in the Boy Scouts of America Pack #309. Dr. Rush enjoyed singing and was a member of the St. Peter's Lutheran Church choir and of the Lexington County Choral Society. Memorials may be made to St. Peters Lutheran Church Building Fund, 1130 St Peters Church Road Lexington, SC 29072 or Relay for Life.