Jo Bernice Bush

She was born in Johnston, South Carolina, on June 30, 1934. She graduated from Johnston High School where she was captain of the Women’s Basketball Team and participated in many clubs and activities.

Jo moved to the Treasure Coast of Florida for the first time in 1958 and lived there with her family. She became a uniformed dispatcher for the Fort Pierce Police Department until relocating to North Carolina in 1966.

Jo then became a professional court reporter and a founding partner in Precision Reporting and Transcribing of Raleigh, North Carolina. She served as the Official Court Reporter for the United States District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina, for 20 years until her retirement in 1997 when she returned to Florida.

As part of her “antiquing” hobby, Jo had become a professional auctioneer in North Carolina and, after her retirement, opened “Collectors Addict” in White City, Florida, where she was able to indulge her passion and deep knowledge of antiques and collectibles of all kinds. Weekends would find her taking great pleasure combing local yard sales where her shrewd eye was able to discern hidden treasures.

Jo was an avid reader and excellent writer with a very active mind who kept herself well-informed about world events. She was the author of the book, “Nature’s Gift,” published in 2007.

She had a quick wit and an easy laugh. She believed deeply in social justice with a particular passion for the rights of women and all minorities. Jo was quite spiritual and believed in the power of love to heal all wounds.

Beginning in early 2010, she immensely enjoyed almost three years of living in Hawaii with her son. She made many friends, survived a tsunami scare, and learned much about Hawaiian culture and the spirit of “Aloha” before returning to live in Florida near dear friends in October 2012.

Jo was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her son, Hutt Bush, of Kihei, Hawaii; one sister, Marsha Yonce of Statesville, NC; one brother, Thomas Butler, of Columbia, South Carolina; as well as two grandsons and three great-grandchildren. Her daughter, Cheryl Anne Walton, predeceased her in 2001. She will be deeply missed by her family and her many friends and colleagues.

Cremation private. In lieu of flowers, her family suggests donations be made to Treasure Coast Hospice: http://www.tchospice.org/memorial-donation

Arrangements are under the care of Aycock Funeral Home, Fort Pierce Florida.