Mary Leona Thornley Rush, daughter of the late Charles William Thornley and Gertrude Rose Flannery Thornley, was born September 22, 1932 in Calico Rock, Arkansas. She departed this life September 6, 2018 in Calico Rock, Arkansas at the age of 85 years, 11 months and 15 days. She was united in marriage to the love of her life Burt Rush on August 15, 1952 and together they raised four children. Leona spent her life as a loving daughter, sister, wife, aunt, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, homemaker and friend. She helped Burt work their chicken houses. As a homemaker, she canned the vegetables from Burt's garden, making certain that nothing went to waste. Leona enjoyed the simple things in life, music, writing in a journal, walking the cart path to see the sun rise over the golf course. Most of all, she loved her family and her church family. She was of the Baptist faith and a member of Belview Baptist Church.

She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law: Joannie and Jim King of Calico Rock; three sons and one daughter-in-law: Ronny Rush of Bonetown, Kevin Rush of Belton, Missouri and Craig and Robin Rush of Bonetown; one brother: David Thornley of Blairstown, Missouri; six grandchildren: Lacy Rush, Jamie King (Michelle), Jerred King (Stephanie), LeannTharp (Douglas), Amy Cheatham (Jason), Laura Basquez; seven great gandchildren: Kobe King, Cy King, Ed Rush, Rhett King, Pryce King, Everly King, Ace Tharp and a host of other relatives and many good friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; three brothers: Charles William Thornley, Jr, Virgil Thronley and Hugo Thornley; one sister: Jane Fletcher; one grandson: Victor Aranda and two great grandchildren: Beau Cheatham and Riley Cheatham.

Visitation and funeral service will be Sunday, September 9 at Belview Baptist Church in Melbourne with Jess Sumrall officiating. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. Funeral service will begin at 3:00 p.m. Burial will be at Combs Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Jamie King, Jerred King, Jason Cheatham, Kobe King, Ed Rush, Cy King, Rhett King.

Honorary Pallbearers: Bucksey Harmon, Wayne Rush, Steve Wheeler, Chris Moser, Justin Rush.