Carrena Nishelle Bush, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother (Ree Ree), sister, Soror, and friend, passed away on May 18, 2025, at the age of 50. Born on February 24, 1975 in Brooklyn, New York to Barbara Orum and Willie Hawes. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother and grandfather Boisey and Rena Mae Orum, and her Aunt Debbie Orum.

Once she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and the head of her life, she has been a faithful servant. While residing in Oak Ridge, TN, she joined Oak Valley Baptist Church, where she dedicated her efforts to the Mission Ministry, worked with the youth during Wednesday night Bible Study and Sunday mornings for Impact Children’s Church. Additionally, she sang on the Praise Team and with the Voices of Praise choir, and was an active member of the Strategic Planning Team.

Carrena always placed the needs of others before her own. Her unconditional love and unwavering support brought comfort to those around her, and her warm smile and contagious laughter could brighten anyone’s day. She touched the lives of many with her kindness, wisdom, energy, and enthusiasm leaving behind an indelible impact on family and friends.

Carrena’s early life began in Brooklyn, New York, before she moved to South Carolina with her mother and two siblings in 1985. A proud graduate of Hilton Head High School, she first showcased her leadership skills and developed her aspiration for fashion, business, and dreaming of becoming her own boss. Carrena furthered her education, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership from Tusculum University, and an Associate’s Degree in Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services from Roane State Community College.

She accomplished exactly what she set out to do and more. She completed cosmetology school where she taught several courses, ultimately becoming the entrepreneur she had always wanted to be. With a passion for business, she successfully opened her own Salon and clothing boutique, all while pursuing her dreams of becoming a real estate agent and broker.

In addition to her entrepreneurial pursuits, Carrena was a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She embodied all things AKA, from her love for pink and green to the signature pearls. Carrena was a valuable asset to the sorority and most recently served as Vice-President, where she was responsible for all the programs and most importantly the implementation of one of our major initiative programs C.H.I.P.P (Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack), where large cinch bags of food was prepared and provided to students to have food to take home for the weekend.

She leaves to cherish her memories her loving husband of 28 years, Eric F. Bush, Sr.; daughter Brooklyn Bush (Oak Ridge, TN); sons Robert (Bethany) Austin, III (Atlanta, GA), Eric (Shayla) Bush, Jr. (Oak Ridge, TN); God-son, Jerome Pruitt; Parents Barbara P. Orum (Hilton Head, SC) and Willie Hawes (Virginia); sisters Shackoya Orum and Shaaun Orum (Hilton Head, SC); brothers Clayvonne Howard (Hilton Head, SC) and Sterling Hawes (Dallas, TX); Mother-In-Law Altamese Norton (Tampa, FL); Five Grandchildren: Robert Austin, IV, Araia Austin, London Austin, Ezekiel Austion, and Eric Tatum Bush (Oak Ridge, TN); sister-in-law Michelle Bush (Tampa, FL); brothers-in-law Oscar (Vatesha) Bush (Georgia), Emmanuel (Cherica) Norton (Florida). Special friends: Tonya Anderson (South Carolina), Angela Ellis (Florida),Amy Wilson (Oak Ridge), Vidya Barnes (Tennessee) and Dineisha Millsap (Virginia); And a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Though Carrena may not be with us in the physical sense, the impact she made on our lives will forever remain. As we bid farewell to this remarkable woman, we celebrate a life lived fully and a spirit that will forever inspire us to strive for greatness, serve others, and love deeply. May she rest in eternal peace.