Ann Whitaker Bishop

ROCKY MOUNT - Ann Whitaker Bishop, age 80, entered Heaven on Saturday, May 26, 2018. Born in Nash County, NC on December 11, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Robert Wiley Whitaker and Catherine O'Brien Whitaker. She was also preceded in death by her husband, James Frederick Bishop, Jr. Born and raised on a farm in Gold Rock, with her sister, Mary Wiley, Ann always had an enjoyment for nature and the outdoors. A woman of great faith, she was baptized as a child at McTyiere Methodist Church in Gold Rock and attended the First Baptist Church both in Galax, VA and in Rocky Mount. After her graduation from Whitakers High School in 1956, she went to work for Stallings Oil and it was during this time she met and married her husband, Jimmy. Together they moved to Galax, VA in 1968 where their children spent their formative years before returning to Rocky Mount in 1979. A devoted housewife who after raising their three children, Ann went back to work for Benvenue Middle School before moving on to Benvenue Elementary School from which she retired. Ann especially enjoyed playing a round of golf, bowling, bird watching, and visiting the Harrison Family YMCA where she would swim. Having a love for gardening, she was a current member of the Rocky Mount Garden Club and an Emeritus Master Gardener of the Nash County Master Gardener Club. Her commitment to faith led her to also being a member of the First Baptist Church of Rocky Mount Sunday School class. She will be most remembered for her love of nature and her love of life attitude. Ann is survived by her daughter, Catherine Bishop (Michael Owen) of Columbus, IN, her son, Fred Bishop of Rocky Mount, and her daughter, Robbie Bennett (Dan) of Rocky Mount. She is also survived by two granddaughters, Heidi Webb (Chase) and Maryanna Bennett (Phillip Waters); and her great-grandson, Warren Webb; her sister, Mary Mayo of Whitakers, NC; and many nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at 12:00 PM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Burial will follow at Pineview Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM prior to the service in the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home. Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made in Ann's name to the Master Gardeners Club of Nashville, NC, 1006 Eastern Ave, Room 102, Nash County Ag Center, Nashville, NC 27856, or to the Rocky Mount Garden Club, 1947 Bridgewood Road, Rocky Mount NC 27804. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home 1130 N. Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Thursday 5/31, 10:30 am - 11:30 am Visitation with the family will be from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM prior to the service in the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home. Service Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home 1130 N. Winstead Avenue Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Thursday 5/31, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at 12:00 PM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Cemetery Pineview Cemetery 761 N. Raleigh Road Rocky Mount, NC 27801 Thursday 5/31, 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm Burial will follow at Pineview Cemetery.