Joel Gary Bishop

Joel “Gary” Bishop, 84, passed away peacefully after an extended illness on 12/5/24. He was born the only child to James Lillious “Buddy” & Mary Jane Mullis Bishop in Lakeland, Florida. Gary grew up in Omega & Tifton, Georgia with his parents among a community of many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was a Tift County High Blue Devil football player (#44, class of 1958), aptly nicknamed ‘Roadrunner’ by high school peers. After high school, he moved to Atlanta where he met the love of his life, Bettye Eleanor Waters, a North GA nursing student who became his wife of 63 years. Together they had three children. His career with Eastern Airlines spanned many years where he exercised his mathematical & technical skills as an avionics technician. He later worked at Northwest Airlines (currently, Delta) as a mechanic and later as an instructor where his South Georgia genes had to adapt to the freezing cold of Minnesota, as well as Memphis, TN.

Gary & Bettye loved to travel with family & friends, venturing around the country and the world continuing to travel, as long as they were able. He developed a great love for Bettye’s childhood home in the North Georgia mountains and they built a home there, as well as continuing to live in their Forsyth home. Gary dabbled in learning new things, such as learning some Spanish (spoken with his South GA accent), building log homes, and taking ukulele lessons. He loved his antique tractor, gardening, and his beloved “Bettye Blue”, a 1954 Ford Customline which was the same make/model he had when he and Bettye first dated. Gary was a faithful member at Paran Baptist Church for 50 years where he became a deacon & taught adult class. He was also a regular attendee and supporter of historic Epworth UMC when they were in North GA.

His greatest treasures were his family and faith. He was an inspiration to his family and everyone he met. He was loved by many. Overcoming many obstacles and defying the odds many times, Gary’s strength and positive outlook was ever-present. His faith endured and he viewed his physical departure on earth as the beginning of his greatest adventure, knowing he was entering the presence of His Heavenly Father.

Gary is survived by his loving wife, Bettye, children Sheryl (Robert) Edwards of Macon, Lorraine (Michael) Bunn of Forsyth, and James “Jim” (Genny) Bishop of Madison, AL. They have eight grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild, beloved sister-in-law, niece & nephew, and bonus grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank his host of doctors and medical professionals over the years, as well as the staff of Aveanna Hospice for the loving care provided. Graveside services will be held at Epworth Methodist Cemetery, Epworth, Georgia on Monday, 12/9/24, at 2:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Aveanna Hospice of Griffin, Paran Baptist Church of Forsyth, GA, or Epworth UMC, Epworth, GA

Monroe County Memorial Chapel 86 West Main Street Forsyth, Georgia, has charge of the arrangements.