Laura Jean Rush McKissick, 84, of Markham, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on December 12, 2025. She was born on June 25, 1941, in Bay City to the late Eugene Thomas Rush, Jr. and Anna Louise Coward Rush.

Laura cherished her younger years spent fishing with family, where her lifelong love for the beach was born. On December 29, 1960, she married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth Wayne McKissick. They shared nearly 59 years of marriage and made their home in Markham throughout their life together.

Laura was a kind, loving, and patient Christian woman who never spoke unkindly of anyone. Her home was a place of warmth and hospitality, always filled with the aroma of home-cooked meals and baked treats lovingly prepared for her family. She delighted in spoiling her grandchildren with snacks when they came to visit. Laura also found great joy tending to her flowerbeds and took pride in maintaining a beautiful yard.

Most importantly, Laura was deeply devoted to her faith. She had a passion for studying God's Word and spent countless hours preparing lessons to teach Sunday School, serve in the bus ministry, and preach on Sunday evenings. Her life was a testimony of faith, service, and love for others.

In addition to her parents, Laura was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kenneth Wayne McKissick, and her brothers, Eugene "Bubba Gene" Rush and Carl W. "C.W." Rush.

Those left to cherish her memory include her sons, Kenneth "Kenny" McKissick and wife Claudia, and Kevin McKissick and wife Lisa; her daughter, Bridgette Dannels and husband Robert; her sister, Lisa Rush; her grandchildren, Karissa Priesmeyer, Kourtney Hardin, Jenna Otteman, Keith McKissick, Kara McKissick, Sean Dannels, Stephanie Hinojosa, and Brian Dannels; 15 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Markham, with Rev. Melvin Ryman officiating. Interment will follow at Hawley Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Brian Dannels, Sean Dannels, Arnulfo Hinojosa, Ty Priesmeyer, D.J. Brown, and Dustin Brown. Keith McKissick will serve as an honorary pallbearer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a Parkinson's research foundation of the donor's choice, in hopes of finding a cure for this devastating disease.