During her high school career she participated in the FHA, 4-H Club, was a cheerleader and a star basketball player for four years. As a senior in 1960 she won the Miss Jackson EMC (Jackson Electrical Membership Corp.), which included several counties. She graduated high school in 1961 and went on to attend the University of Georgia majoring in home economics. She was also a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. She met her husband, Kenneth W. Bishop, there and after two years they were married. They lived in Jacksonville, Fla., and Savannah before moving to Cartersville in 1967.
Shortly after moving to Cartersville she and her husband and family joined the Sam Jones United Methodist Church where she was a faithful member for years.
She is survived by her husband; two children, son Kenneth R. Bishop of Cartersville, daughter and son-in-law, Dawn Bishop McGuire and Sean McGuire of Acworth; two sisters, Melissa Mabry of Homer and Lee Lyon of High Point, N.C.; two nephews, Robert Mabry and his wife, Kim, of Homer and Buck Jordan of Statesboro; and a special dear extended family member, Ms. Diane Eason of Cartersville. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Tracey Dee and Mickey McGuire of Acworth, Victoria Bishop Holmes and husband Matt Holmes of Savannah, Joshua Ray Bishop of Athens, Jamie Lee Bishop of Athens and Carter Bishop of Cartersville and extended grandchild, Donovan Tate; and two great-grandchildren, Ava Gray Holmes and Scarlett Jane Holmes, both of Savannah.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 9, from the Sam Jones United Methodist Church with Dr. Bill Burch and Rev. Nina Jones officiating. Entombment will follow in the Sunset Memory Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Joshua Ray Bishop, Carter Bishop, Parker Rutledge, Dennis Ballard, Tyler Gilreath, Kenny McCaskill, Buck Jordan and Robert Mabry.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Sam Jones United Methodist Church or to the American Cancer Society.
The family received friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Please visit www.owenfunerals.com to post tributes and sign the online guest register.
Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Drive, Cartersville, is in charge of the arrangements.