Inez Cephas

Inez Bush Cephas, known to family friends as “Nezy” or “Nez”, was called home on Sunday, January 3, 2021, at Christina Care Hospital in Newark, Delaware. She was 70 years young. Inez was born on June 30, 1950, in Aiken County, South Carolina, to the late Marion and Luereather Crawford Bush.

Inez was raised in Bridgeville, Delaware where she received her formal education from Phyllis Wheatley Elementary School, and went on to graduate from Bridgeville High School, Class of 1969. While attending Bridgeville High, she was a member of the Women’s Basketball Team.

Upon completion of her education, she was employed by; The Rug Factory and H.P. Cannon, both located in Bridgeville, Delaware. In 1975, Inez began working for E.I. DuPont, as a Spinning Machine Operator, until her retirement in 2002. Being her “Worker Bee” self and unwilling to sit back and enjoy retirement, she also held additional titles such as: Foster Parent, Private Duty Healthcare Aide, and Teachers Aide for the Seaford School District. Inez was the Vice President of the Phyllis Wheatley Alumni Association, and was instrumental in the school being renamed to Phillis Wheatley Elementary School. She was also an active member of Williams Chapel Church in Bridgeville, Delaware for many years, serving under 3 pastors: the late Reverend Charles Shields and the late Reverend Charles W. Smith Sr. Current Pastor Charles W. Smith Jr.

Inez loved to cook for her friends and family. Her greatest joys were hosting her Thanksgiving Dinner, baking her mouth-watering pound cakes, and travelling back to Georgia and South Carolina to visit with family and friends. “Nezy” loved to bowl, and was on the DuPont Women’s Bowling League for many years. Although a firecracker at times and with a tough as nails outer exterior, she had huge heart of gold, she loved hard and unconditionally, and went out of her way to help anyone in need, whether she was asked to or not.

She was preceded in death by one sister: Ernestine Bush, and her adopted sister, Minister Alberta Smith.

She leaves loving memories to be cherished by: one son, Otas E. (Ebony) Cephas Jr. of Seaford, Delaware and one daughter, Otasia Cephas of Wilmington, Delaware; three granddaughters: Shakyra C. Cephas, Khia O. Cephas, and Shakaylah D. Cephas; two sisters: Cathrick J. (Charles) Smith and Pandora Bush; one brother: Horace L. (Dejuanne) Odom; one adopted brother-in-law: Charles E. Smith three nephews: Charles J. Smith, Steven L. (Brett) Smith, and Devin M. (Danielle) Smith; one niece: Cheryl R. Bush; five great-nephews and six great-nieces; Special Friends: Erethia Smith, Randolph and Joyce Jones, Marlene Mann, and Hattie Perkins; three special daughters: Sonya Alston, Robbin Wells, and Kecia Milbourne, and a host of additional nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.