Carla Kay Bush

Carla is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, John W. Bush; her daughters, Kim Bush and Deannah Bush; her older brother, Audie Willingham, and his wife, Shawn; her younger brother, Anthony DiMaggio, and his wife, Tina; her best friends, Brigitte and Nancy; and many nieces, nephews, great-nephews, cousins, and extended family members. She is also survived by her beloved cats, Lucky and Taffy, along with her granddogs and grandkitties, whom she cherished as part of her family.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Rosie Davis, and her father, Gordon Davis.

Carla and John shared more than 53 years together and would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 6, 2026. As the wife of a firefighter, Carla knew that any day could bring the unexpected. Through it all, she remained devoted to John and to the family and home they built together.

Together, Carla and John created the house where everyone belonged.

Carla believed that family extended far beyond bloodlines. It included the children, friends, neighbors, and loved ones gathered along the way. Many came to know Carla and John as “Mom and Dad,” “Nana and Papa,” or “Grandma and Grandpa.” Carla lovingly referred to them as her adopted daughters and sons. If you walked through her door, you became family.

She made certain that birthdays and holidays were celebrated together, filling the house with food, conversation, laughter, and the people she loved.

Carla was known for her spaghetti and meatballs, tacos, and gravy of every kind—especially her holiday turkey and giblet gravy. Biscuits, Kraft macaroni and cheese, and black-eyed peas, however, were best left to John.

She was a voracious reader. When she became legally blind and could no longer read printed books, she continued enjoying stories through audiobooks. She loved scary movies, fantasy, and anything science fiction, and she and John were especially devoted Star Wars fans.

Carla could sew almost anything. Even as her sight faded, she could still mend a sweater or repair a comforter. She was also a skilled embroiderer who created custom wedding and baptismal keepsakes for friends and family.

Her compassion extended naturally to animals. Around the neighborhood, Carla was known as the person to bring an injured animal to: “Take it to Carla. She’ll know what to do.” From owls and other birds to rabbits and turtles, nearly every creature was welcome—except snakes.

Carla leaves behind a legacy of love, family, laughter, traditions, and a home in which people and animals alike knew they would be cared for and welcomed.

Visitation will be held at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, 1615 South Fort Hood Road, Killeen, Texas 76542, on July 6, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life will take place at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, 1615 South Fort Hood Road, Killeen, Texas 76542, on July 7, 2026, at 10:00 am, followed by a Committal Service at Garden of Memories Cemetery, Killeen, Texas 76542, on July 7, 2026, at 11:00 am.