Karen Hobbs Bush

October 25, 1964 - June 12, 2018

Karen Hobbs Bush of Waxhaw, an educator and mother of two, passed away Tuesday, June 12, 2018. She was 53. Karen was a widely admired and deeply loved kindergarten teacher in Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Union County schools for 18 years, eight years at Pineville Elementary School and ten years at Antioch Elementary School in Weddington. For the children who entered her classroom and for others who entered her life, Karen was sunshine. Karen was born October 25, 1964 in Sanford, N.C., to Edward Gibbon Hobbs, Jr. and Barbara Hoffman Hobbs. Karen spent much of her childhood in the North Carolina mountains, living in Elk Park, Valle Crucis, Seven Devils and Asheville before moving to Naples, Florida, where she attended high school. She returned to the North Carolina mountains to attend Appalachian State University where she was a member of the Phi Mu sorority. Karen began her career as a kindergarten teacher in Pineville, N.C. She took time away from her career to devote time to raising her two children, Callan and Sullivan, before returning to love and teach kindergartners at Antioch Elementary. She will be remembered for her grace, humor, and deep courage as she lived with cancer for the past 15 years. Karen is survived by her children, Callan Bush and Sullivan Bush of Waxhaw; her sister, Laura Bridges, and brother-in-law Bob Bridges, of Asheville; two brothers, Michael Hobbs of Chapel Hill and Mark Hobbs of Asheville; beloved in-laws Jeff and Beth Bush of Daniel Island, S.C. and Catherine Bush Collins of Charlotte; and, many uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces. Karen’s parents preceded her in death. The family wishes to thank the many health care professionals who accompanied Karen in her fight with cancer, including Dr. Daniel Carrizosa and the nurses at the Levine Cancer Institute. We and Karen shared a profound confidence in their judgment and their care in providing Karen with the best medical treatments possible today. A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, June 17, at 3 p.m. at Weddington United Methodist Church, 13901 Providence Road, Weddington, N.C. A private burial will be at Forest Lawn East Cemetery in Weddington, N.C. The family asks that those who loved Karen to remember and honor her by living as she did, by sharing every day with those around you simple acts of kindness and joy. Donations may be made "In memory of Karen Bush" for the purpose of establishing a memorial fund supporting teachers in Karen's honor. Please make checks payable to the Union County Education Foundation, P.O. Box 909, Monroe, NC 28111.