Dora Elizabeth Bankins-Bush, 45, of Hollywood, died August 5, 2008 at her residence of Cancer.

Born November 12, 1962 in Newark, NJ, she was the daughter of the late James Eugene Bankins and Barbara Ernestine Briscoe. She was the very loving wife of Michael Lee Bush whom she married on September 25, 1992 at St. John Francis Regis Church in Hollywood, MD.

Dora was in the first graduating class in 1980 at Leonardtown High School. She was the class valedictorian, an honors student, cheerleader, and recipient of the Senior English Award-Cum Laude 1979-1980. She was appointed to and attended the United States Naval Academy in 1980. Due to illness she was honorably discharged from the Academy and began studies at Loyola College in Baltimore, MD.

She was awarded the Harry S. Truman Scholar in 1983. Dora was the first Truman Scholar at Loyola College of Baltimore, MD. Dora became the first black woman elected President of the Associated Students. Dora was the Delegate to the Democratic National Convention Maryland Primary in 1984. She graduated from Loyola College in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Economics.

Dora is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center class of 1989 with a Juris Doctorate. She was a member of the Young Democrats and served as Vice President of the Black Students Association and volunteered as a lecturer in the campus ministries program.

Dora worked for numerous agencies including the Legal Aid Bureau, Inc., Criminal Justice Clinic, St. Mary's County S.M.I.L.E. Program, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, St. Mary's County Office on Aging, ManTech and the Center of Living Independently for Everyone.

Dora served an Internship for Congresswoman Barbara A. Mikulski and as a Law Clerk for Attorney Stephen J. Braun. She was also an Adjunct Professor at the College of Southern Maryland. She had been a member of the following Civic, Undergraduate/Graduate and Professional Associations: Black Law Students Association, Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Christian Legal Society, Who's Who, Phi Sigma Alpha, Alpha Sigma Nu, St. Mary's County Human Relations Commission-Pathfinder Award, Guatemala Mission Team, Outstanding Young Women of America, Center for Children Board of Directors member, Member of the LINKS of Southern Maryland Chapter.

Dora was an accomplished musician, playing piano, guitar and organ. She was a Choir Director at St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church and St. Peter Claver Catholic Church. She was also a Eucharistic Minister at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Dora was also a member of a local group of musicians who performed at various venues in the Tri-County area.

In addition to her husband, Dora is survived by her children, Nataye Mary Bush of Waldorf, MD, and Nicholas Joe Lewis Bush of Hollywood, MD, granddaughter, Makayla Jade Elizabeth Richmond, sisters, Neva M. Thompson (Alvin) of Hollywood, MD, and Monica L. Bankins of Ridge, MD, as well as numerous relatives and friends.

Family will receive friends for Dora's Life Celebration onTuesday, August 12, 2008 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Prayers will be recited at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 22375 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park, MD 20653. Reverend Jack Kennealy will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., P.O. Box 631047, Baltimore, MD 21263-1047.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.