Opalee Bush, 78, of Parsons died at 12:15 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, at her home. She had been in failing health.

She was born Sept. 11, 1930, in Menlo Park, Calif., to James Martin and Mildred Amelia (McRae) Mason. As a young girl, she grew up and attended school in California. In the early 1940s, she moved with her family to Parsons, where she had lived since.

She worked as a sewing machine operator at Fred Ronald's Manufacturing Co. from 1957 through 1985. In 1985, she began working at Signature Sportswear in Parsons, retiring from there in 1990.

She married Thomas J. Bush Jr. in Independence Dec. 24, 1945. He preceded her in death Oct. 31, 1979.

She enjoyed crocheting, reading and working crossword puzzles.

Survivors include two sons, Thomas Bush and his wife, Cathy, and Steven Bush, all of Parsons; two daughters, Linda Beasley and Diane Palmer and her husband, Bob, all of Parsons; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; 13 stepgreat-grandchildren; and two stepgreat-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter; a stepgrandson; and a sister, Joan Bailey, in 1996.

There will be a graveside service at 10 a.m. today at McCune Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.