Janice Cooper Bush

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our dearest Janice Cooper Bush, age 74. Janice was a resident of Gautier, MS, since 1992 and had recently joined the warm and friendly community of Summerhouse Bay Cove, Biloxi MS. She died peacefully January 10, 2026, at Ocean Springs Hospital, Ocean Springs, MS, surrounded by loved ones.

She was born November 27, 1951, in Morton, MS, the second daughter of the late Lavell Cooper and Frances Idom Cooper. Her parents raised her in the loving and supportive community of Morton, MS where she was blessed with a large extended family rich with grandparents, siblings, cousins and friends, and she looked back at those cherished memories with great fondness throughout her life.

The middle child of a musically gifted family, Janice exhibited early talent and abilities and emerged a skilled concert pianist. During her senior year at Morton High School Janice was voted Miss Morton High School by her fellow classmates of 1969, and upon graduation she set about life with quiet determination, capability and excellence. She received her Associate of Arts degree from Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College at Perkinston, MS before she took time out, married, and began a family with her childhood sweetheart and recently returned Vietnam Veteran, Charlie Bush. By 1978 she had completed her Bachelor of Science at University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS, and began her teaching career at Harrison Central High School, Gulfport, MS, while living with her family in Wiggins, MS. In 1992 she relocated with her family to Gautier, MS, where she enjoyed working as choir teacher at Colmer Middle School, Pascagoula, MS, while simultaneously earning her Master of Education at the University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL. Janice eventually retired from Vancleave High School, Vancleave, MS, after many years in her position as school guidance counselor.

Wherever Janice resided she used her talent within the community. She was never without her church family and enjoyed church memberships at Big Level Baptist Church, Wiggins, MS, and Martin Bluff Baptist Church, Gautier, MS, where she served as church pianist during her time with both. She could also be found performing with the Mobile Piano Quartet Ensemble, Mobile, AL.

In retirement she enjoyed a quiet life with her family particularly her two granddaughters, whom she regaled with piano concerts from her own living room. A gentle, devoted, and exceptionally talented mother, grandmother, wife, sister, and friend, Janice will be greatly missed. The memories she leaves from a lifetime of her loving and steadfast presence are a testament to the success of a quiet life well lived. We are grateful that she was ours.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents, Lavell and Frances Idom Cooper; her husband of 48 years, Charlie Bush; and younger brother, Jeffrey Lavell Cooper.

She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Bush Millette (Joseph); son, Charles Harrison Bush; granddaughters, Genevieve Cooper Millette and Olivia Kaelynn Bush; sister, Pam Savell Cooper (Dwight); nieces, Amy Savell, Holly Savell Bullard, Heather Savell Dearman; and great nephew, Jase Dearman.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Ocean Springs, MS. Friends may visit from 11:00am until service time.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Janice Cooper Bush.