Mary Alice McNew Rush was born April 29, 1919 in Big Spring, Texas and died on January 17, 2007 in Dallas, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Eugene Rush; her parents, George Durah McNew and Florence E. McNew; her sister, Florence McKenzie and her grandson, Matthew Jones. Mary Alice's great grandparents, the Schwarzenbachs and the Scholz, were early settlers in the 1880's in Stanton and Big Spring. Mary Alice graduated from Big Spring High School in 1936. She was quite popular and active in extra curricular activities. She had the lead in the school play, "Lady Spitfire" and was also a member of the Pep Squad. She attended New Mexico A & M, now known as New Mexico State University, where she met and married a rancher, Jeff Isaacks, in 1940. After the war, she moved back to Big Spring with her two daughters, Peggy and Ann, and began her career in education as a first grade teacher at West Ward, later known as Cedar Crest. She also taught at College Heights. Her favorite quote was, "I may be strict, but the children do know how to read going to second grade."In 1952, she married Lloyd Eugene Rush and started a second family with the birth of their son, Gerald Eugene Rush. Mary Alice was an avid reader and enjoyed bridge with her friends. She was an excellent seamstress and made most of the clothes for Peggy and Ann. After retirement, she and Gene began traveling, going to Europe several times and also went to several United States Marine Corps reunions. A highlight of every week was meeting with some of her retired teacher friends for lunch at the Spanish Inn.She is survived by her sister, Margaret Priest of Temple; two daughters, Peggy Isaacks Jones and husband, Art, of Dallas and Ann Isaacks Banks and husband, Glenn, of Garland; one son, Jerry Rush and wife, Vikki, of Lubbock; six grandchildren; four great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel.In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the charity of your choice or to the Alzheimer's National Office, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL. 60601.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
