Loretta McDowell Bishop

Loretta McDowell Bishop, 71, died peacefully at home on January 24, 2011, surrounded by the love of her friends and family. A native of Rabun County, GA, and Macon County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Daniel and Louise (Carver) McDowell. After graduating from Franklin High School in Franklin, NC, she moved to Atlanta, where she met the love of her life, Lamar Bishop. They married on June 11, 1960, and celebrated their fiftieth anniversary this past summer.

She graduated from Hardbarger Business College in Raleigh. During her career, she held accounting and office management positions at Answerphone, Audiovox, the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, and St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. After retirement, she volunteered with her church and for the chaplain at the Raleigh Correctional Center for Women. She enjoyed bird watching, gardening, quilting, cooking, traveling, and spending time at the beach and in the mountains. But her favorite activities centered around friends and family, such as attending her grandsons’ sporting and music events and enjoying family dinners.

She is survived by her husband and her four daughters and their families: Paula Bishop and Dave Dice and son Jacob Dice of Foxboro, MA, Donna and Stephen Pritchard and sons Christopher and Zachery of Raleigh, Sandy Bishop of Raleigh, and Phyllis and Steven Brown and son Carlton, of Raleigh; her brothers and sisters: Wynona and Norman Blackstock of Lawrenceville, GA; Verlon and Chris McDowell of North Augusta, SC; Joyce and Lloyd Stamey of Franklin, NC; Dwayne and Opal McDowell of Sylvester, GA; Randall and Marsha McDowell of Kennesaw, GA; and Dennis McDowell of Franklin, NC. She is also survived by her husband’s family and her many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, on February 5th. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society,8300 Health Park , Raleigh, NC 27615 or St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 7506 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27615.

Condolences may be sent to www.brownwynne.com