The Dart: Natchez couple enjoys life in retirement
Published 12:07 am Monday, August 22, 2016
NATCHEZ — Love can be a powerful thing.
Following 54 years of marriage, perhaps Elise and Homer Rushing’s passion for each other is more than a perfect example.
When The Dart landed on Oakhurst Drive, the couple was cooking dinner together — a regular occurrence in the Rushing household.
The Rushings have three children, Karen, Keith and Kurt, all of whom are grown and share their parents’ passion for food.
“We both love to cook, and all the kids do, too,” Homer said.“We’re foodies.”
Homer, 76, said he met Elise, 74, when the two were in high school and dated through their college years. The two then married following Homer’s graduation from Ole Miss in 1963.
“I had an immediate attraction to her,” Homer recalled. “I started dating her, and we dated about five years before we got married.”
Both Homer and Elise are retired, yet they each continue to occupy their time with projects around the house.
“I think them up, and he builds them,” Elise said. “I’ve got little projects for him, and he does them for me.”
Elise said she spends time working in the garden at their residence where they’ve spent the last 15 years.
Homer has been retired for approximately 22 months, having last worked at Byrne Insurance.
“I think (retirement) is going pretty good,” Homer said. “I just didn’t want to work anymore. I just was tired. It was just boring.”
Homer said he was initially concerned about occupying time, but has found retirement life more than fulfilling.
“There are days when it gets frustrating and you don’t have anything to do,” Homer said. “I play golf, I try to fish a little bit — I have a little trouble trying to find someone to go fishing with.”
The couple said they’ve enjoyed the life they’ve created together, and are thrilled to have spent most of it in their hometown of Natchez.
“I love Natchez myself,” Homer said. “I feel very fortunate to have been born here, and I think my wife feels the same way. It’s a pretty town.”