Bishop Howard Bush

Bishop Howard Eugene Bush, of Fort Mill, South Carolina, passed away peacefully, with his loving niece Janet Lawson by his side on March 4, 2026, 10 days before his 90th birthday. Howard was born March 14, 1936, to Bishop Louis and Mrs. Aldora Moore Bush in Charleston West Virigina. He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 sisters; Leola Moore, Carrie Hall, Mattie Bush, and Lorenthia Hicks, and 7 brothers; Will Bush, Louis Bush, Jr., James Bush, Homer Bush, Harvey Bush, Reuben Bush and Robert Bush and his devoted wife, Cloteal Penn Bush. Howard was the eleventh of twelve children. He was a well manner, studious child who loved music, his family and going to church. He gave his life to the Lord at a very early age and became a member of the Glorious Church of God in Christ on Wertz Avenue where he played the piano, sang in the choir and seriously began studying God's word in preparation to becoming a minister, like his father. He was educated in the Kanawha County public schools, graduating from Garnet High School in 1954. Howard continued his education at West Virginia State College, graduating in 1958. He also completed extensive graduate studies courses at The City College of New York to sharpen his teaching skills.

After graduating from WVSC, Howard moved to New York to live with his oldest sister, Mrs. Leola Moore and her family to pursue a career in teaching. He joined the Glorious Church of God in Christ in Brooklyn, working in the church's Youth Department where he met and fell in love with Cloteal Penn of Mount Hope West Virginia. They were married in 1961 and began a life of love and service to each other and Evangelism for the Lord. As a young couple, they enjoyed giving out tracks on the streets of New York, talking to anyone who would listen about their need for Christ in their lives. Howard was called to the ministry and after several years, had the pleasure of welcoming his wife to the ministry. Howard was ordained a Bishop. For 30 years he pastored the Deliverance Church of Christ in New York. Additionally, he was the presiding Bishop of New Zion Gospel and Deliverance Church of Christ Inc. until August 14, 2016, when he became their Bishop Emeritus.

He taught in the New York School System for over 33 years, retiring in 1995. After retirement Bishop Howard and Mother Cloteal Bush moved to Fort Mill South Carolina where God blessed them to travel extensively, evangelizing and preaching the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Howard has preached in London, England, Spain, the Bahamas, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, all over the USA, beginning in hills of West Virginia. Howard's legacy: NEVER STOP SERVING GOD. Although he was retired and health failing, he had plans to preach in Youngstown, OH in July 2026.

Bishop Howard Bush leaves to cherish his memory and continue to spread the Good News of Christ, his nieces and nephews; Malcolm Moore, Charlene Hall, Reuben Hall, Tawaniki Hall, Joyce Berry, Janet Lawson, Clark Bush, Eric Bush, Jeff Bush, Barbara Bush, Marty Alston, John Bush, and Lillian Jarrett,sister-in-law Peggy Bush Austin. Also many "God-Children" those who gave their lives to Christ under his teaching, life-time friends and especially his great-nephew Clark Bush, Jr. whom he lovingly called Tony, who, over the last few years faithfully helped Howard get to appointments, to the airport, go shopping, was the 1st one at the hospital when Howard was ill, but most of all lovingly spent time with his Uncle Howard.