Kenneth W. Bishop

Ken died peacefully on April 8, 2024. Kenneth W. Bishop was born in Swainsboro, Georgia on December 3, 1943. He grew up in the small town of Portal, Georgia with his mother and father, Mrs. Clyde Carter Bishop and W. L. “Pam” Bishop. His father, W. L. “Pam” Bishop owned and operated a sawmill where he worked during his summers.

Ken is survived by his children, Kenneth R. Bishop and Fiance Amy Cheek of Rome, Georgia. Dawn and Sean Maguire of Acworth, Georgia; Grandchildren Victoria and Matt Holmes of Savannah, Georgia, Joshua Ray Bishop, Carter Bishop of Atlanta, Georgia, Jamie Lee and Kyle Tucker of Cartersville, Georgia, Tracey Dee and Miller Luker of Centerton, Arkansas and Mickey Maguire of Acworth, Georgia, Three great-grandchildren; Ava Gray, Scarlett and Dolly Pearl: Two sister in laws, Ms. Lee Lyon of Pinehurst, North Carolina and Melissa and Michael Mabry of Homer, Georgia.

Ken, or Kenny, as he was known in Portal and his beloved wife Andrea, loved sports. He was a good basketball player, being named Honorable Mention All-State in the year they played for the State Championship. He was also named as Best in Sports for his Senior Class. After graduation from high school, he attended Georgia Southern University, known then as Georgia Teachers College where he was named Vice-President of the Freshman class. After two year, he transferred to the University of Georgia and became a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He became an ardent supporter of the UGA Bulldogs for the rest of his life. He met his wife Andrea at UGA. They married in 1963 and later that year had their son, Ken Bishop Jr with daughter Dawn following 7 years later. They spent the rest of their lives together until Andrea “Momee” went home May 6, 2012.

Ken worked for the F. H. Ross Chemical Division of Ashland Oil for 4 years where he was 3rd, 2nd, and 1st in sales in the South East the last 3 years where he was living in Jacksonville, Fla and Savannah. He later took a job at Chemical Products Corporation in Cartersville and later with New Riverside Ochre Company to help grow their natural Earth pigment (Ochre) business.

Later, in 1981, Ken started his own pigment company, Southern Color and Chemical Company while still selling for NRO and other pigments. Ken started Southern Color in the garage of his and Andrea’s home on Georgia Boulevard. SCC grew from 1 employee to 125 employees, working 2 shifts, with a 2nd location in Ocala, Fla, and many people he continued to enjoy and treasure friendships over the years. He later sold SCC to Bayer Corporation in 2003 and retired happily after that with his wife Andrea.

Ken also enjoyed playing golf, his dogs over the years, and most of all his family. Due to his many travels in business and pleasure, he was fortunate to have played at over 200 different golf courses around the world including St. Andrews in Scotland, and even scoring a 74 while visiting there.

Ken was a good salesman and businessman because of his love of meeting new people and respecting all equally.

While always loving and being proud of Andrea, Ken, Dawn, Ms. Diane and their families, Ken was probably most proud of his grown love and faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. He cherished reading scriptures in his Bible, Devotionals, and various articles written by various people including Billy Graham. Ken was very faithful to the knowledge that Jesus Christ died on the cross for all of our sins and Ken left his Earthly home knowing that was the only way for us to get into Heaven.

Rest in Peace Kenny!

Gathering of family and friends will be on Friday. April 12, 2024 beginning at 12:30pm with a Celebration of life service at 2pm at Sam Jones Methodist Church in Cartersville, GA. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens.