Sarah Rushton (6-3-12)

JEFFERSON - Sarah Bess Burkes Lane Rushton, 72, went home to be with her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, on Sunday, June 3, 2012.

She was born in Sandhill, Miss., the daughter of the late Leo Ulysses and Wilma Price Jones Burkes of Prentiss, Miss. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Jefferson, where she played piano and organ. Mrs. Rushton formerly was a teller at Merchants and Marine Bank in Pascagoula, Miss., and throughout her life, was involved in music ministry at various churches. She will be remembered for her gentle grace and humility and her considerable artistic and musical talents. Mrs. Rushton is preceded in death by her first husband, Dewey Lane, Gautier, Miss.

Survivors include her husband, Jack Rushton, Jefferson; children, Ben Lane and Kevin Lane, Orlando, Fla., and Angela Joransen, Commerce; stepchildren, Greg Rushton, Columbiana, Ala., Randy Rushton, Montgomery, Ala., Ricky Rushton, Boca Raton, Fla., and Eleanor Wise, Birmingham, Ala.; sister, Dr. Mary Lane Wheatley, Clinton, Miss.; 15 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 16, at 11 a.m. in the Jefferson First Baptist Church with Michael Helms officiating. A reception for friends and family will follow. The burial will be on Sunday, June 17, at 4 p.m. (CST) at the Prentiss Cemetery in Prentiss, Miss., with the Rev. Bob Storie officiating. Visitation with the family will be at the Prentiss Baptist Church Fellowship Hall beginning at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the Jefferson First Baptist Church Music Ministry, P.O. Box 395, Jefferson, GA 30549.

Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.