Etta Newman Bush

April 30, 1923

June 2, 2024

Etta Bush was born to John and Henrietta Newman on April 30th, 1923 on a farm in Herndon VA and was one of 12 children.  Etta only had an 8th grade education but was a great student and fast learner as she valued education.  She married Joseph R. Bush Sr. on November 14th, 1942.  After raising her 3 children, she worked for several families in Herndon as a housekeeper before retiring from Fairfax County Public Schools in 1986 as a cook, to take care of her youngest grandson while his parents worked.

You would often see Etta riding shotgun with Joseph Sr. at the wheel, running errands and grocery shopping at every grocery store between Herndon and Sterling.  Even though she was riding shotgun and could barely see above the dashboard, she was still in command of that vessel.  Joseph Sr. was a big man but Etta had an even bigger personality.  Her fiery attitude, short stature and willingness to tell everyone and their mother what was on her mind, commanded respect from everyone through her last day.  Etta had never been on a boat but she ran a tight ship.  If you told her you were going to do something, you better follow through with it or you were going to hear from her.  Etta could remember every single detail and was never afraid to call folks out on anything.

Although she was tough, she was also extremely loving, caring, selfless, brave and would do anything in her power for others, family or not.  She would often say, "Everyone needs a little help sometimes."  You could expect to leave with a full stomach after visiting Etta and Joseph at their home.  Etta loved a good laugh.  Just like her opinion, she wouldn't hold back anything.  You could hear her laugh bellowing out of any room she was in.

She is preceded in death by many family members, her husband Joseph R. Bush Sr, grandson Joseph L. Bush III, and her daughter Nancy Bush.  She will be truly missed by her 2 sons, 2 grandsons, 3 great grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and everyone else who her life touched.