Virginia Ann Bishop

Virginia Ann (Kirkley) Bishop, age 84, entered her Eternal Home on February 2, 2022. She was born September 15, 1937, in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, to Homer Lee Frederick and Eula Belle (Turner) Kirkley. She was one of nine children.

Early in her life, her family relocated to Poteau, Oklahoma, where she grew up, graduating from Poteau High School in 1955. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Southeastern State College in Durant, graduating with honors in 1959. She was a member of Cardinal Key and Kappa Delta Pi.

After graduation, she taught first grade in Healdton, Oklahoma, where she met a wonderful young man, Jefferson Crawford "JC" Bishop. JC and Virginia were married March 27, 1964. They later moved to Tulsa where she continued teaching first grade at Francis Scott Key Elementary School until starting their family. They had two children, Byron and Stephanie. JC's job later took them to Edmond, Oklahoma, and then Plano, Texas, where they lived the remainder of their years.

Virginia wore many hats throughout her life. During her years in Tulsa and Edmond, she was a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha. Volunteering was her passion, and she had a special heart for children. She was a member of the PTA, Den Mother, Girl Scout cookie sales chairwoman, softball coach, Sunday school teacher, children's choir leader, youth volunteer, hospital volunteer and in a host of other places of service. Wherever JC and Virginia lived, they always shared their love of Christ through their local church. They had been members of Hunters Glen Baptist Church for nearly 40 years.

As their children got older, Virginia began a second career as a realtor. Hospitality was a gift of hers, and she drew great joy from helping people make homes of their own. The door to her own home and heart was always open to others. Whether hosting her children's friends, the church youth group, or what seemed to be half the University of Oklahoma Baptist Student Union during OU-Texas weekend while her kids were in college, there always seemed to be room for more. A favorite group she always loved to host were "The Five" also known as her grandchildren. She loved visiting them, but especially loved when they came to see her.

Upon Virginia's diagnosis of dementia in 2011, JC lived out the beautiful covenant of marriage as he cared for her so well, until her needs became more than he could give. Though the disease took her memory, it could not take the power of the Holy Spirit, who was alive and active in her until the very end. Even in the depths of the disease, she brought much joy to everyone. We are very thankful to all the current and former staff at Arbor Hills Memory Care who loved and cared for her so well for the last three years. We are also grateful for the many friends at Hunters Glen Baptist Church who were such a great support to Virginia and JC over the years, and with whom they were able to share the many significant events in their lives.

Virginia is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Jefferson C. Bishop; parents; sisters Dorothy Palmer, Elizabeth Martin, and Katharine Kirkley; brothers Olan Gene "Bud" Kirkley, Bob Kirkley, and Fred Kirkley. She is survived by her son Byron Bishop of McKinney, Texas; daughter Stephanie Berryhill and husband Wayne of Norman, Oklahoma; grandchildren:  Ann Marie Hubbard and husband Jake, Colson Berryhill and wife Madeline, Grace Berryhill and fiancé, Drew Johnson, Caleb Berryhill, and Jonathan Berryhill; great-grandsons Chandler Berryhill and the soon Baby Hubbard; sister Pat Lavake; brother Garry Kirkley; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held Thursday, February 10, at 10:30 AM at Hunters Glen Baptist Church, 4001 Custer Road, Plano, Texas. Visitation will be at the church prior to the service at 9:30 AM. Burial will follow at 3:30 PM at the Woodberry-Forest Cemetery in Madill, Oklahoma. A brief graveside service will be held, family and friends are welcome to attend.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association http://www.alz.org