Deacon Leon Bush

Deacon Leon Bush,78, of Bluffton, SC passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at Hilton Head Hospital in HHI, SC. He was the husband of Laura Bush. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Allen Funeral Home of Ridgeland. We welcome you to provide your thoughts and memories on our Tribute Wall.

Deacon Leon Bush, Sr. the son of the late George Bush III and Catherine Brown Bush was born October 11th, 1942 on Belfair Plantation in Bluffton, South Carolina. He departed this life on
Tuesday, January 12th, 2021 at Hilton Head Island Medical Center He attended the local public schools in Beaufort County and graduated from the H.E.
McCracken High School Adult Education class. Leon was a self-made tradesman and could fix anything that was broken. He was a farm
boy at heart and was known for growing vegetables throughout Bluffton which he gave to his neighbors, family, and friends. He was affectionately called by those who loved him Boss Hog, a
name he wore proudly. He was an entrepreneur and owner/operator of several businesses including the Bluffton Shell Gas Station and wrecker service, the famous Ponderosa and Twin Oaks Night Club, Leon’s Landscaping and lawn care service and Leon’s Wood Pile, along with his several other endeavors. Through these businesses, he was able to employ several local men. Most people will remember him as the gentle giant that road up and down the highways of Bluffton on his Kubota tractor.
Leon was employed for many years by the Beaufort County School System as a Bus Driver and Janitor. He ended his career with the State of South Carolina’s Department of Natural
Resources as a Trade Specialist Level IV assigned to the Waddell Mariculture Center in Bluffton,
SC. He retired in 2004. Leon had a servant heart and at an early age gave his life to Christ. He was baptized in the
May River by the late A.O. Mitchell, former pastor at First Zion Missionary Baptist Church. He served actively at First Zion for many years and was a member of the senior choir. He briefly moved his membership to the St. John Baptist Church where he was ordained as a deacon. Upon returning to his home church, he joined the deacon board where he held the office of chairman deacon for several years, as well as vice chairman. Leon was also part of the choir, male chorus, Trustee Board, building fund and the men’s ministry at First Zion. Prior to his death, he was one of the senior deacons in the church.
He loved his community and the citizens of Bluffton whom he served as an organizer of the first volunteer fire department of the Bluffton Community Center Board, Bluffton Eagles Action
Committee, and the original Board of the Bluffton Area Community Association. He was always involved in local elections and community issues and not afraid to give his opinion, whether you liked it or not. Leon was joined in holy matrimony by Laura Ann Mitchell Bush on April 7th,1966. This union was blessed for 55 years with four loving and devoted children. He was proceeded in death by his parents and his siblings: Thelma, Lela Mae, William, Daniel, Thomas, Morris, and Joseph. As well as his Mother-in-Law Mother Minnie C. Mitchell, who affectionately called him “My Boy”.
He leaves to mourn his devoted and loving wife, Laura A. M. Bush of the home and his children: Carol B. Bush of Houston, TX, Leon Bush Jr. (Noreen) of Hilton Head Island, Latrese
Bush of Atlanta, GA, and Elizabeth Bush Swinton (Andre) of Bluffton. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Jacque Jandula (Thomas) of Bluffton, Curtis L. Baker of Indianapolis, IN, Shayla P. Simmons of Houston, TX, Desmond M. Z. Bush of Houston, TX, Taylor T. Bush of Charlotte, NC, Lauryn P. Bush of Austin, TX, Mckenna A. Swinton of Bluffton, Andre Charles Leon Swinton Jr. of Bluffton; nine great grandchildren: Clia, Cydne, Dominic, Carter, Brooke, Brycelynn, Kendrick, Roxie and Orion as well as two god children George Lee “Pee Wee” Bush and Victoria Lee Smalls and a cousin and helper Robert Bush. sisters: Anna Bush Moore & Patsy A. Bush both of Bluffton; brothers: Charles Mack & Eugene Mack both of Tampa, FL, and George Bush IV (Arenilla) of Charleston, SC; sister-in-laws: Lucille Jones & Sarah Bush both of Bluffton, Estell Bush of Atlanta, GA, and Juanita Mitchell Parlor (Charles) of Tampa, FL, and brother-in-law James K. Mitchell of Aiken, SC. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, other sorrowing relatives and very special friends… you know who you are.
Leon had very strong work ethics that he taught to his children, grandchildren, and other boys in the community. Throughout his life, Leon Bush Sr. believed that hard work built character
and it sure did in him. Those he helped along the way valued his honesty, companionship and trust. Though he may not live on in this world, his spirit will live on in all of us. We will all cherish the moments we had with him and know that he has moved on to a better place

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