Mary Bishop

On July 19, 2012, Mary Sweeney Bishop, 92, of Christiansburg, departed this life as her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ called her to her mansion in the glories of heaven. She was a resident of Wheatland Hills in Christiansburg at the time of her death. She was born August 15, 1919, in Franklin County to the late Palmer P. Sweeney & Oakie Webb Sweeney Thorp.

Mary was a member of Main Street Baptist Church in Christiansburg for over 50 years, where she actively served as a Sunday school teacher and Vacation Bible school teacher, as well as being involved in the Women’s Missionary Union Circles and numerous other ministries in her church.
Her highest calling in life was that of a loving Christian wife and mother to her husband and children. She loved preparing meals for all of her family, especially during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays as well as traditional Sunday dinners.

She was a beautician by profession, having a beauty shop in her home since 1957 and continued working in her shop until her health began to decline.

Among her many passions were her vegetable and flower gardens and she especially loved growing different varieties of roses. She was an avid “Hokie” football fan and enjoyed attending Virginia Tech home games for many years. Mary also loved country and bluegrass music and attended dances several nights each week with family and special friends where live bands performed throughout the New River Valley.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Vasco L. Bishop; sisters, Dorothy Sensabaugh & husband Ernie of Roanoke, and Florence Tibbs & husband Bob of Vinton; brother, Palmer P. Sweeney, Jr. & wife Izola of Christiansburg; brother-in-law, Clarence Bishop & wife Maxine of Christiansburg; two nephews, Ronald Wayne Bishop of Christiansburg and John L. Sweeney, Jr. of Virginia Beach.

Those remaining to cherish precious memories of her are son & daughter-in-law, Stephen & Janet Bishop of Radford; daughter & son-in-law, Martha & Ronald Covey of Christiansburg; granddaughters, Kimberly & husband Scott Keith of San Diego, CA, Kristen & husband Scott Lucas of Charleston, SC; great-grandchildren, Jacob, Daniel and Kora Keith, and “Liam” Lucas; brother & wife, John L. Sweeney & Kay of Virginia Beach; sister & husband, Darlene & Kenneth Lancaster of Christiansburg; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends.

The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation and affection to Mary’s caregivers at her home for the past 3 years prior to becoming a resident at Wheatland Hills. They are Janet Dalton, Sally Burnette, Wanda and Shayla Stuart. Also, special thanks to the staff on the second floor at Wheatland Hills and Medi Home Hospice for the excellent care and compassion they provided for mother during her time there.

Visitation will be held at Horne Funeral Home on Saturday, July 21, 2012, from 6-8 pm. The funeral service will be held on Sunday, July 22nd at 2 pm at Auburn Baptist Church in Riner, with Pastor Stanley Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Cemetery.