Barbara Brush

MEMORIAL SERVICE:  2:00 P.M. Saturday, February 22, 2014, at Pettit Baptist Church in Comanche County.LUNCH:  Family will have lunch at Pettit Baptist Church at 12:30 P.M. on Saturday, February 22nd. Barbara Brush, age 68, passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2014, in Comanche County, Texas. Barbara Brush was born on April 18, 1945 to Bishop and Amber Craddock in Lubbock, Texas. Barbara was the youngest of three having two older brothers, RS and David. Barbara spent her early years in the oilfield camps of west Texas attending schools in Sundown and Midland. After her father’s passing, she and her mother moved to the ranch just outside Energy attending and graduating from Gustine High School. Barbara married David Brush on September 21, 1963. They lived in Dallas and Grand Prairie sharing good times and memories with several of their friends from high school. They welcomed their first child in June of 1966. Daviddie (Brush) Lester brought joy to their lives and so began the journey to parenthood and the bliss of being grandparents. In December of 1969, the “baby” was born. Barbara Jo (Brush) Bracken stirred up the status quo of the family of three. In the fall of 1977, David and Barbara moved their family out to the ranch to get out of the busy city. Living in the country was good for Barbara. Being back on the ranch and raising her family was the perfect life for her. Once the girls were in junior high and high school, she began working in the lunchroom at Gustine ISD. This is where Barbara found her niche. Barbara worked at Gustine for over 22 years. She fed and nurtured a generation of children with her home cooked meals and her smiles and energetic school spirit. Spirit cake on Fridays and painting her hair orange during Homecoming week were just a couple of examples of her pride for the kids she watched pass through the halls of Gustine. All the kids knew her as “the lunch lady”. Many times she would see former students in town and often they would call out to their lunch lady. Becoming a grandparent brought even more joy to Barbara’s life. She enjoyed the time she spent with her three grandchildren: Chad, Mollie and Cord Lester. They always had a great time at “Nana’s” house. Nana loved sharing stories of her childhood and family history with them. She often shared her love for the outdoors and nature with them through camping trips and watching her hummingbirds. She was always happy to help her grandkids as she watched them grow and supported them throughout all their endeavors. The final gem added to her family, Aubri who she lovingly called her “little tweety bird”. Barbara is survived by her husband of 50 years, David Brush, of Gustine. Daughters, Daviddie Lester and husband Jim, of Gustine and Barbara Bracken of College Station, Texas. Three grandchildren, Chad Lester and his wife, Chandra of College Station; Mollie Lester of Lamkin, Texas; and Cord Lester of Gustine, and great-granddaughter, Aubri Hazel Lester of College Station.