Wanda Rush

Wanda Rush, daughter of the late Jincie (Rush) and Ben Middlebrook was born on May 17, 1958, in Philadelphia, PA. Almighty God, in His infinite wisdom, gently closed the eyes of our beloved Mother, Sister and Aunt on July 10, 2022, and she entered her eternal rest. Her sister Mollie Watkins and life partner, Clarence Johnson, preceded her in death.

Wanda was educated in the Philadelphia Public School system where she graduated from Kensington High School. She also attended Bloomsburg College and spent over 25 years educating and working with children and their parents with employers such as the School District of Philadelphia, Little Neighborhood Centers, and the Health Federation of Philadelphia.

Wanda was a kind and gentle woman whose compassion and sense of humor made her the heart and soul of everything she touched. If you knew her, she shared with you how much she loved her family. She enjoyed nothing more than visits from her children, early morning calls with her sisters, outings with her nieces, and cracking jokes with her brothers. She opened her home and heart to anyone who needed it and became like a second mom to many. Through her work as an Early Head Start Teacher and Child Family Advocate, she touched the lives of hundreds of children and their parents. On any given day, you would find Wanda and her close friends, Virginia Brown and Andrea (Angie) Thomas, driving around the city to her families whom she treated like her own.

Wanda and her life partner, Clarence were blessed with three children, Anisha, Jameel, and Maurice. She loved and was proud of her children and would brag about them to anyone who would listen. She shared a unique and special bond with each one and made it her point to spoil her grandchildren, Amir, Maurice Jr. (Little), Erian, Aria, and Zuri.

Wanda leaves to cherish her memory her children: Anisha, Jameel, and Maurice; daughter-in-love Natasha; extended children: Saunja, Clarence (CC), and Kita; three brothers: Ben (Cherylyn), Charles (Juanda) and Robert (Delores); sister Mary (Jesse) foster brother Kenneth Greate (Delores); grandchildren Amir, Maurice, Jr., Erian, Aria, and Zuri; and more nieces, nephews, family, and friends than we can fit on a hundred pages.

Wanda’s memory will live on in our hearts forever and her love will be our continued bond.

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