Phyllis Bowyer Bush

Devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and faithful friend Phyllis Bowyer Bush of Arlington, VA, passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2020, following a sudden decline due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.

Phyllis was born October 19, 1938, in Harrison County, WV, to Everett and Gertrude Bowyer. The only daughter among two older and two younger brothers, Phyllis adored her rural, mid-century, All-American upbringing. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her younger brother Edwin L. Bowyer (2001), and eldest brother Everett “Jack” Bowyer (2015). She was also preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Joseph M. Bush (2009).

Phyllis left her cherished home state shortly after graduating high school in 1956, and began her noteworthy career with C&P Telephone Company (later Bell Atlantic/Verizon), in Arlington, VA. She soon met and married her husband Joe, in 1958. While her dedication and professional talent in administration led to an enviable reputation and decades-spanning career, Phyllis and Joe simultaneously raised a tight-knit, loving family in Arlington: with two sons, Joe and James, and two daughters, Donna and Diana.

There was nothing that gave Phyllis greater pleasure than the strong bonds she fostered and enjoyed with her brothers and her entire extended family. Trips to visit her beloved relations in West Virginia were a perennial highlight. Her intense love of sports–particularly football–came a close second. Friends & family recall how this petite, ordinarily reserved lady would don her team gear, prepare the family room “tailgate” for all to enjoy, and proceed to banging pots, ringing the cowbell, and jumping off the sofa to run down the sidelines “helping” the coach! Phyllis was also an active member and volunteer for many years at Dulin United Methodist Church (Falls Church, VA). She loved and lived her faith with great devotion. She was a fan of “real” country music, fast cars, peanut M&Ms & Snickers bars, and genuinely kind, compassionate people… she was a shining example of the latter.

Phyllis is survived by her older brother William “Bill” Bowyer (Lost Creek, WV), and youngest brother Lynn Bowyer (Weston, WV), as well as Bush and Bowyer family in-laws, nieces, nephews, and members too numerous to list, but always in her heart. In addition, she is survived by her son Joe, his wife Monica, their children Monica Eberhardt and Joseph; daughter Donna Rolla, her husband John, their children Casey, Shelby, Kiersten Waymire, Jackson and Matthew; son James; daughter Diana Willcox, her husband Tom, their children Jacob, Liam and Evangeline. Two beautiful great-grandchildren, Leon and Elena, amused and delighted her to the very end.

Pastor Dave Kirkland (Dulin UMC) will officiate a Covid-restricted (immediate family only) memorial service at National Memorial Park on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at 1pm. A springtime Celebration of Life in her home state will be announced later. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to support Parkinson’s education, research, and patient services can be made via the Parkinson’s Foundation: www.parkinson.org.

A Place Called Heaven

I have a place that waits for me

A place I love, called Calvary

Where angels sing and rejoice all day

And children laugh, run and play.

Here the Masters holds my hand

As we walk through Heavens land.

This is the place Ive dreamed of for so long

So beautiful, so heavenly like the angels song.

-Prayers for Special Help