Mary Bishop

Mary I. Bishop, daughter of Glenn Inman and “Belle” Inman of Gaffney, S.C. passed away on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2021, at NKC Hospital.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters—Belva Clarkson and Jean Sarratt-- and an infant brother, all of Gaffney.  A private graveside ceremony at Mt. Moriah Terrace Park North this week will be followed by a Memorial Service next Spring.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. James Lutheran Church or to the Hospice of your choice.  Mary attended Lander College, S.C., before working at Maxton AF Base in 1943-44 in NC where she met her husband, Capt. Charles Bishop, Army Air Force.  After years of raising four children in MI, CO and MO during corporate transfers, she became an executive secretary for over two decades at Chemagro Chemical (Bayer) and also worked part-time in retail to help with family finances.  She and her husband were able to enjoy retirement with winter trips to AZ and FL in the years before his death in 2005 and Mary proudly maintained her home of 65 years with her annual vegetable garden, flower beds and prized crepe myrtles. Known by her many bridge groups as genteel and sweet, she was also a fierce competitor who enjoyed winning at whatever activity she did, from cribbage to casino slots.  Everything in moderation was a key to her longevity—along with a major stubborn streak—and she insisted on manners and respect for elders from her children.  We didn’t know neighbors’ first names—it was always “Mr. Herring” or “Mrs. Roberts.”  While she never displayed a southern accent, she was a daughter of the South in her behaviors and in many of her attitudes.  She was also in love with nature, from her okra plants to soaring red-tail hawks, and driving with her in the passenger seat, a whiplash of “look over there, look, look, look.” Family was her bedrock, and she wore a necklace of birth rings of her four children—Charles (Carolyn), Ron (Cynthia) and Bob (Jaye) Bishop and Jane Zanter (and her beloved son-in-law, the late George Zanter)- nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.  In her later years, she became known for her expressions, some unprintable, but usually “Mercy, Mercy” to anything uncommon or strange.  She left us, just days before her death with her latest quip--“take it easy.”  May God return that favor to Mother Mary and to us all.