Kenneth William Bush

Celebration of Life for Kenneth William Bush

***best known as***

“George or Sweet Water”

November 1965 – March 2021

Remembering Kenneth William Bush affectionately known as “George or Sweet Water” to family and friends, was born November 6, 1965 in Washington DC to Dorothy Ann Bush.  He was the youngest of five children. George graduated from H.D. Woodson where he was one of their most valuable players in football.  George loved playing cards which was a family legacy and he like to play dominos.  George went on to become a Case Manager in Church where he helped the homeless and those incarcerated return back to society.  As a Case Manager he won many awards for leading the program to get those who were once incarcerated to join their program and learn job building skills and to become a productive citizen.  George had such a passion for helping people who were less fortunate that he volunteered his time and skills as a barber to cut the individuals hair who were in the program and could not afford to get a haircut.  Out of all his passions he was most proud of his family, his children and many, many grandchildren.  George loved the Lord Jesus Christ and would minister the gospel by showing his love and kindness towards everyone.  George had a smile from ear to ear that made you smile and feel uplifted just by being in his presence.  He would make you laugh and laugh and he always had a kind word to say about everyone.  

George leaves to cherish his memory his five children Andre Shadwick, Kenishia Shadwick, Sierra Shadwick, Kevin Scott and Kenneth Scott who were his pride and joy; his beloved sister Joanie Harris and brother Norman Barksdale, Jr. (Veronica); his nephews Eric Overton (Ebony), Darnell Overton, David Harris and Norman Barksdale, III; his nieces Vanessa Vinson (Jeff), Shameeka Williams (John) and Tawana Barksdale; his brother-in-law Reginald Goodwyn; his senior Auntie Katherine “Kitty” Hunter; and his cousins which are too many to name all of them but to name a few Fred Otten (Suzanne), Nita, Jr, Marcus, Jackie M., Jackie F., CeCe, Peanut and a host of family and friends.  George was preceded in death by his mother Dorothy Bush; sisters Tawana Goodwyn and Deborah Bush; aunts Gertrude Dunaway and Barbara Johnson; and uncle Chuck Bush.

George lived a full and richly blessed life and we are all so blessed to have shared it with him.

Letter to our Daddy

We will always remember your great big smile, your laughter, your caring heart, your warm embrace and the love that you always gave us no matter near or far.  We are your children, your legacy of love and we will carry on and live a life of love, laughter and great success that will make you proud.  We will always remember the things you taught us to believe in ourselves and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and with that Daddy we know “we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us”.  You will forever live in our hearts and we will pick up where you left off.  You have taught us Daddy to carry on!

Love Andre, Kenishia, Sierra, Kevin and Kenny

Poem of Everlasting Love 

My heart is heavy filled with pain

Little brother our conversations will not be in vain

I will remember the laughter and times we cried

As I find the strength to say goodbye

To hearing your voice as you accomplished your dreams

With a smile that would brighten up everything

Remembering the wisdom you shared everyday

Even when bad things came your way

With a heart so genuine and good as gold

The love you embraced would often show

Giving it back to the lives you touched

I miss you baby brother

I love you so much

The love you shared was tried and true

You did the things God asked you to do

Never ashamed to teach God’s ways

Without hesitation to this day

I could go on forever as I say goodbye

I will see you again on the other side

Rest in Peace

From Your Loving Sister Joanie

Prayer of Comfort from Your Cousins

Oh Lord, it is always so hard to say good-bye to those that we love and care about, especially when we were so close.  We know that we are going to miss our cousin so much, and so will all the rest of our family.  So, Lord, we do pray that You would give each one of us Your comfort in our hearts at this time of such sadness.  We know Heavenly Father that death is a transition into Your Glorious Eternal Life in Jesus Christ and for that we Praise You!  We rejoice Heavenly Father that as Your children we will meet up again one day so until then Father please flood all of our hearts with Your never-failing comfort and give us Your strength to move forward, knowing that You feel our pain and that You care and comfort each one of us.

Thank You for the good times that we spent together, and help us to celebrate the joyous life of love and laughter that we shared with Cousin George rather than mourn the life that passed away too soon. Help us to give You thanks for the blessing that Cousin George was to all of us and the legacy that he leaves behind in Jesus. Thank You for the life of our Beloved Cousin Kenneth “George or Sweet Water” Bush and we pray that You would put Your loving arms of comfort around all of us and draw every member of our family closer to Thee.  In Jesus Christ name we pray, Amen.

Life is a Glorious Journey

Life is just a stepping-stone
A pause before we make it home
A simple place to rest and be,

Until we reach eternity.
Everyone has a life journey,
A path to take with lots to see
God guides our steps along the way,
But we were never meant to stay.

Our final destination is a place
Filled with love, His majesty and grace.
Today we celebrate the life of a loved one
Who has gone before us, the race he has won.

His journey has now ended,
His spirit has ascended
Claiming the great reward
With Jesus, our Lord.

I Am Free

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free,
I’m following paths God made for me
I took his hand, I heard him call
Then turned, and bid farewell to all

I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to sing, to play
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found my peace … at close of play

And if my parting left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened… deep with sorrow
I wish you sunshine of tomorrow
My life’s been full I’ve savoured much
Good friends, good times
A loved one’s touch

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and peace to thee
God wanted me now
He set me free.