Anita Bull Chief

Anita Jay (Tushka) Bull Chief was born to the Late Jimmy Louis and Belva Darlene (Medicine Horse) Tushka, Sr. on October 9, 1962 in Fort Worth, Texas. The third of nine children, Anita was raised in a Christian home where she was taught the Word of God and was brought up in the nurturing and admonition of the Lord. On Saturday, September 5, 2020, with her husband by her side Anita Jay went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Bilaaxpaakalaho amahelee itchee “Good Among Many”, the name given to her by her grandmother Katherine Big Hail. She was member of the Crow Tribe, a member of the Big Lodge Clan and a child of the Big Lodge Clan, and also a daughter of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Anita Jay received her early education at Wyola, Busby, and the Kinsmen School in Crow Agency, MT. She attended high school at St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, Mt and Brainerd Indian School in Hot Springs, South Dakota. Growing up Anita Jay was her dad's “right hand man” as she was a mechanic by her own right, changing oil in the family vehicle and could change out the starter in a matter of minutes. She was also musically inclined, playing several instruments, but mastered the Bass Guitar. She had an unmatched style and great technique, she could carry the rhythm and fill in runs to any song. But it was the anointing of God upon her life that set her apart. At a young age Anita Jay committed her life to Jesus and she devoted herself faithfully and wholeheartedly to serve God. She had a beautiful voice, which was rich and unique. She sang growing up in the Tushka Family Ministry and in a trio with her sisters in revivals and tent meetings all across the United States and Canada. In 1986 Anita Jay married the love of her life, Duane L. Bull Chief Sr. They made their home in Hardin, MT and most recently settling in Crow Agency. She took her role as a wife and mother seriously and invested her time caring for her home and her family. Anita Jay and Duane served as the Assistant Pastors of the Everlasting Gospel Church under Pastor Jimmy Tushka Sr., where she served as the head of the children's ministries and was a musician and continued in her singing ministry along with her husband. For a number of years Anita and Duane were members of The El Shaddai Church serving under the direction of Pastors Myron and Victoria FallsDown in Wyola, MT. where Anita Jay continued to use her musical gifting, singing in services. She also served as a Sunday School teacher, and often exercised her strong hospitality gift, hosting and providing for many guests in her home and church throughout the years. In 1998, Anita Jay and Duane founded The Father's House Church in Crow Agency, MT where they pastored together for 17 years, serving the people of the Crow Nation. They are currently licensed Ministers with the First Nations & Federation of Ministers and Churches International, Under the leadership of Apostle Fred Smith, Pastor of the Pentecostal Church of Fort Duchesne, Utah. Anita Jay worked hard to consistently pursue excellence in her home, family and church. She was married for 34 years to her best friend Duane. She loved working alongside him and serving with him. They had the privilege of traveling together in ministry throughout the United States and Canada and were looking forward to traveling abroad in 2021. They made many friends and acquired more and more family over the years. Like the Proverbs 31 woman, none of her activities or responsibilities distracted her from prioritizing her family. A dedicated mother, Anita Jay gave her best to her children. She was their first Sunday School teacher, and their first best friend. She gave them the gift of music as well, when she began recording her own singing albums, it was a family effort. Duane was the producer/musician and each of the children were musicians or singers as well. Not only did she mother her own children in this manner but all her nieces and nephews, grandchildren and the many others she raised as her own. And she continued to mother her children well, as she willingly offered wise counsel and support whenever called on. As her children share their gifts with the world by leading, singing, teaching, preaching, and serving, they are simply the fruit from the seeds that Anita Jay diligently planted. Anita Jay had many adopted sons and daughters, too many to mention. We would like to thank you all for being a part of her life and allowing her to mother you, for in that role she was fulfilled. Anita Jay made every family member feel special. She understood the importance of creating memories and she sacrificed her time and efforts to make holidays and celebrations fun and memorable. She was always ready to feed her family and if a family member or friend stopped by, she would welcome them into her home, offer refreshments, and invite them to stay a while to relax and rest. Anita Jay loved God, her family and the Dallas Cowboys. She faithfully watched their games and proudly displayed the colors and emblems and was often seen in her favorite Dallas Cowboy's slippers. She loved to dress up for church, she loved flowers, and she loved home. Anita Jay is proceeded in death by her parents Jimmy and Belva Tushka, brother Frank Tushka, children Christopher Long Soldier and David Bull Chief, her grandparents, Austin Tushka, Velma Roberts, Frank Medicine Horse and Hazel One Goose Medicine Horse. Survivors include her husband, Duane; her daughters: Sarah, Faith (Daryl) Walkoverice and Chantel (Miguel) Rosa, Marshea (Bosch) Chalepah, Marcelle (John) Birdin Ground and Leah Tushka; her sons: Fernando (Rochelle) Tushka, Robert Tushka, Duane “Bear” (Geraldine) Bull Chief Jr., Matthew Jefferson and Brian Old Crow Jr.; her grandchildren: Fernando Jr., Daisy, Robert Jr., Ryan, Kyeennah, Emmanuel, Ka'laia “Baby Jai”, Kymani, Belva, Tatum, Zephaniah, Reuben, Cassius, Ebony, Persasis, Taylee, Jodi, Carson, Morgan, Hope, Miguel Jr., Dream, Martin and Jackie; her great granddaughter: Kailoni Mae; her adopted children: Edward (Czurina) Haney, John (Tiara) Fighter, Quincey (Tiffany) Dabney, Kris Jack, Julian (Autumn) Secody, and Elisha Falls Down; her sisters: Lynn Tushka, Kaylene Tushka, Jewel (Vincent) Tushka-Crooked Arm, Mikki (George) Riddle, Juanita (Conrad) Yellow Mule, Billie (Burdick) Two Leggins; her brothers: Jim Tushka Jr., Michael (Anna) Old Crane Sr.; adopted sisters: Diane Two Bulls, Karen Rindehl, Kristine Haukaas, Joanne Catcheway, Joni Pease, Mindy Aitson, Debra Upham, Sheryl Stands and Savannah Cairns; adopted brothers: David Bear Shield, Billy Harris, Titus Upham, Tim Johnson, Franklin Jefferson, Jarred Stewart, Conrad Stewart, Shobe Little Light, Dale Good Luck Sr., Peter and Warren Jefferson, Daryl, Duane, Joseph, Terrance, Eugene and Adrian Lacquette; aunts: Glenda and Esther Tushka, Verna (Tommy) John, Shirley Glen, Pansy Williamson, Mary Helen Medicine Horse, Ardith (Lloyd) Hogan, Bonita Hawk; uncles: Earnest (Tina) Tushka, Gary (Adrienne) Tushka, Rod Caufield; grandfathers: William Roberts, Alex Medicine Horse Jr., John Pretty On Top. Extended Family: The Harold Carpenter Family, The Harold Enick Family, The Bull Chief Family, The Descendants of the One Goose Family, The Descendants of the Mable Pretty On Top Family, The Tushka Families of Texas and Oklahoma, Wesley, Amos, Big Shoulder, Bravo, Door, Plenty Hawk, Holds the Enemy, Medicine Horse, Shane, Jefferson, Dawes, Hiwalker. Our family is large, in our time of loss please accept our apology if we have forgotten anyone.