Mary Lou Bishop

It is with regret that we announce the passing of Mary Lou Bishop, widow of Guy E. Bishop, Jr. Mary passed away on Thursday, July 29, 2021. With her passing also passes an era which we shall not see again. Mother was the last disciple of a different time, a time in which manners and gentility mattered. Mary Lou Hensley was born in Kentucky in 1920 to a large family, who have also all since passed. She was, again, the last. The poverty of the Great Depression left some deep scars on her psyche, but ultimately did not dim her positive outlook on life. She did not survive the Depression, she triumphed over it. She met her future husband, Guy E. Bishop, Jr, by chance on Buckroe Beach in Hampton, Virginia, after he had returned from service in the Army-Air Force in World War II. They remained together for over 60 years. Together, by some way, they acquired something of the gypsy spirit and would live in eleven different places in those 60 years. A gifted cook and hostess, she loved having company and giving parties. Her recipes are cherished by her children. With her husband’s retirement, they were able to travel extensively, again, the gypsy spirit, including several trips to England. On one of those trips, they were given a private tour of Queen Elizabeth’s yacht. She was also taken by Cannon Beach, in Oregon, a visit shared with her children and grandchildren. Mary Lou Bishop had an astoundingly full life. In her time, she saw passenger planes, interstate highways, television and then color television, dishwashers, antibiotics, fast food, satellites and men on the moon. Yet nothing she saw in her one hundred years will equal the sight she will now have: of her husband again, of her departed family members, and of the glory and presence of our dear Lord. Mary Lou Bishop is survived by her three sons, Ronald Bishop of Virginia Beach, VA, Robert Bishop of Fredericksburg, VA, and Guy Bishop, III, of Kennewick, Washington; and two grandchildren, Melinda Kosec of Spokane, Washington and Melissa Wandling of Pasco, Washington. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave., Hampton, Va 23661. Friends are encouraged to visit parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.