Elsie Louise Busby

Commissioner Elsie Busby was born on June 11, 1936, along with her twin brother, in Atlantic City, New Jersey to Salvation Army officer parents, Brigadiers James and Elsie Henderson. She went on to grow up in the northeast in New York City and Binghamton, NY. As a young person she was often asked to sing solos at Army meetings, including on the spur of the moment by her father while he lead the Atlantic City Beach Meetings on the Boardwalk. She graduated from New Jersey College of Commerce and attended Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky where she met her husband, Commissioner John A. Busby. They had a lifelong love for Asbury College, now Asbury University, inspiring both of their children to attend college there as well.

They entered the training college as Servants of Christ in 1961. Following commissioning, the Busby’s served in Marietta, Georgia and then were appointed as corps officers in Atlanta Lakewood, Rome and Athens, Georgia.

As young officers, they were privileged to be appointed on two separate occasions to serve on the teaching staff at what is now known as Evangeline Booth College. In between those two appointments at EBC, they were appointed as Divisional Youth Secretaries for the North and South Carolina Division for five years, investing in the young people of the division. Her contribution to creative programming, particularly for Youth Councils, and discipling young people during the summer camp season, provided some of her most fruitful years of ministry. She formed some of her fondest memories and relationships of her officership during these three appointments sharing the joy and love of Jesus. She counted so many of the young people and cadets she invested in those twelve years as co-workers and friends in her later years of ministry. Her influence continues to the present through those lives, including some who became officers in The Salvation Army.

She was a wonderful mother to her two children, Dawn and Scott, during those same busy and formative years. She held herself to a high standard of personal holiness and excellence and called them to do the same, all the while, being a clear voice of encouragement and love in their lives.

Commissioner Elsie Busby then served as Divisional League of Mercy Secretary for the Florida Division and Home League Secretary for the Arkansas-Oklahoma Division. In 1984 she became Territorial Corps Cadet Counselor, again investing in the youth and candidates for officership of the Army. She enjoyed pursuing creative and innovative ways to pursue the ministry responsibilities she was given. More importantly, she continued to invest in the lives of soldiers and officers in her sphere of influence, always ready to turn the conversation to a timely verse of scripture or inspiring story. She was often asked to preach an encouraging word from the pulpit.

In 1986 she and her husband held their first appointment as divisional leaders in the Arkansas-Oklahoma Division, where she served as the Divisional Director of Women’s Organizations. She then served in the same capacity in the Florida Division in 1989, playing a key role in the planning of the Florida Divisional Centennial Congress held in 1991. The Busby’s were transferred to the Canada and Bermuda Territory in 1993 as second in command of the territory, where her appointment was Assistant to the Territorial President of Women’s Organizations, with responsibility for volunteers and auxiliaries.

In 1997 the Busby’s were so pleased to return to their home territory where Commissioner Elsie Busby was appointed Territorial Secretary for Women’s Organizations with responsibility for Home Leagues, and a short time later she became the Territorial President of Women’s Organizations.

Her final appointment came in 1999 as National President of Women’s Organizations at National Headquarters in Alexandria, VA, ministering with her husband as he served as National Commander. She represented The Salvation Army well around the United States within and outside Army circles. One of her great privileges was to serve on two High Councils, resulting in the election of Gowans and Larsson as consecutive Generals.

After retiring in 2002, the Busbys enjoyed eleven years of rich fellowship in Clearwater, Florida with friends and colleagues from all four territories. Later, her health concerns lead them to move to Atlanta closer to family.

Commissioner Busby was a woman of elegant grace. She was known as a very hard working and gifted leader in her own right, injecting a creative energy into her ministry oversight and speaking. Some have noted her “creative skills and contagious spirit”, “imaginative and innovative programs”, “positive and profound influence” and her “developing and discipling Salvationists”. She never strayed from her use of scripture memorization as a central means of encouraging and leading others to Model the Great Commandment and Advance the Great Commission. In one of her sermons, she quoted Psalm 9:1, stating her calling as an officer was embodied in that verse: “Oh, Lord, I will praise you with all my heart, and tell everyone about the marvelous things you have done”, and she did.

The Busby’s have two children, Dawn and Scott. Lt. Colonels Ken and Dawn Luyk serve as the divisional leaders in the Florida Division. Scott and his wife, Dawn, are attorneys at the firm of Busby | Negin in Atlanta, Georgia. They are the proud grandparents of six grandchildren: Matthew and Lauren Luyk, Hillary and Elliott DeJarnett, Heather Luyk, Jordan Busby, John Busby and Ashley Busby. They have one great grandchild, Vance DeJarnett. She is also survived by her twin brother, Major Robert Henderson.

Celebration of Life
The Salvation Army
Atlanta Temple Corps
2090 N Druid Hills Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30329

Celebration Service & Family Visitation
Family visitation - Saturday, February 29, 2020 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
Celebration Service - Saturday, February 29, 2020 at 10:30 am.

Interment to follow at Westview Cemetery, 1680 Westview Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30310


Cards-Notes
Commissioner John A. Busby
1532 Arbor Green Court NW
Kennesaw, GA 30152

johnabusby@gmail.com

Lt. Colonels Ken and Dawn Luyk
14822 Man O War Drive
Odessa, Florida 33556

dawn.luyk@uss.salvationarmy.org

Scott and Dawn Busby
610 Tabbystone Street
Marietta, GA 30064

busby@busbynegin.com

Flowers
In lieu of flowers, the Busbys suggest that a donation referencing Commissioner Elsie Busby be made to The Salvation Army, Evangeline Booth College, at 1032 Metropolitan Parkway, SW, Atlanta, Georgia, 30310, toward the purchase of a suitable memorial to her service.