Gayle Lancaster Rush

Gayle Lancaster Rush, 75 of the Providence Community, Holly Hill, South Carolina, died unexpectedly Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Funeral services will be held 3PM, Saturday, June 3, 2023 at Providence United Methodist Church, 4833 Old State Road, Holly Hill, South Carolina.  The family will receive friends from 1-3pm prior to the service. Officiating will be Rev. Rebecca Rowell, Rev. Terry Martin, and Rev. Justin Ritter.

Daughter of the late Isobel Crosby Lancaster and Walter Boyd Lancaster, Gayle was born March 1, 1948, in the Providence Community where she spent her entire life except for years spent at Palmer College, just after she graduated from Holly Hill High School. 

Gayle was a member of the Providence United Methodist Church all of her life and served as Choir Director for over 30 years. In 2010, she was named “Woman of the Year” by the UMW. She was very active in this group and served in many positions.  In addition, in 2016, she was named “Mother of the Year,” by members of the church.

Gayle worked for Farmers & Merchants Bank in Holly Hill until she retired in 2015. She was a role model for other single parents. When her three sons were teenagers, she, and Emory Rush, who had been in school together, again became a part of each other’s lives, and they married on June 12, 1991.

Gayle is survived by her husband, Emory; sons, Chris Mears of Holly Hill, Chad Rush (Jessica) of Bramwell, West Virginia, and Derek Rush of Smoaks. Her heart was broken twice when she lost two of her sons, Dale Mears and David Mears. Gayle is also survived by 6 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; sister, Imogene Lancaster Christmas of Myrtle Beach; brother, Glenn Boyd Lancaster (Kay) of Elloree; as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Providence United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 2988 Bass Drive, Santee, South Carolina, 29142.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at avingerfh.com/.