Elsie Ruth Johnston Bishop, 88, of Tifton went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, at Cypress Pond Assisted Living. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 21, 2012, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Rev. Steve Johnson will officiate with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the staff and residents of Cypress Pond Assisted Living. The family will receive friends on Friday, September 21, 2012, from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of the service at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mrs. Bishop was born on March 21, 1924 in Tifton and was the daughter of A. T. and Allie Johnston, both deceased. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Clenon Bishop and her daughter and son-in-law, Webster and Barbara Bishop Morgan; as well as two brothers, Roy Johnston and Bobby Johnston.
Mrs. Bishop was a lifelong resident of Tifton and was a charter member of Northside Baptist Church. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening, reading and spending time with her grandchildren.
Mrs. Bishop is survived by her son, Jerry Bishop of Destin, Florida; her grandchildren, Keith and Hannah Stone of Tifton, Mary Ruth Morgan of Destin, Florida; two great-grandchildren, Braydon and Parker Kirk of Destin, Florida; her sister, Lola Davis; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Ray Johnston, Pete and Mary Alice Johnston, Bennie and Bonnie Johnston and Mike and Marion Johnston; as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Cypress Pond Assisted Living and special sitters, Kelly, Shay and Sharon for taking such good care of Mrs. Bishop.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mrs. Bishop's memory to Life House Ministries, P. O. Box 252, Tifton, GA 31793; or to Hospice of Tiftarea, P. O. Box 747, Tifton, GA 31793.