Gerald Burns Bishop, Jr. of Oxford, MS passed away on August 28, 2024 from heart and kidney complications. The beloved husband, father, and friend was born in Tupelo, MS on September 12, 1946; raised in Plantersville, MS until 1954; then moving to Jackson, MS where he lived most of his life in the metro area before moving to Oxford, MS in 2015. His burial at Unity Presbyterian Church in Plantersville, MS reunites him with his childhood home and family. He was a Christian, a deep believer in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and a member of First Baptist Church of Madison, MS since 1996. He wanted to thank Maggie and Luther Harris, his maternal grandparents, who started him on his Christian journey, and to thank his mother, Flora Harris Bishop, who continued to teach and instill Christian values.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Flora Harris Bishop of Ridgeland, MS, his father, Gerald Burns Bishop, Sr. of Walnut Creek, CA, and his niece, Evanne Marshall, of Acworth, GA. He is survived by his wife, Karen Bishop of Oxford, MS. They married in 1996 and spent 28 wonderful years together. Burns is also survived by his three sons, Beau Bishop of Dallas, TX and grandson Jack Bishop of Oxford, MS; Jeb Bishop and his wife Sarah Brooke Bishop, and granddaughter Marion Bishop, of Oxford, MS; and Joshua Bishop of Jackson, MS; stepson Aaron Shows of Hattiesburg, MS, his wife Louisa Shows, and granddaughters Hayes and Emmie; His sister Laurie Gillett and her husband Darrell Gillett of Aragon, GA; nephew Cohry Osborne of Temple City, CA, his wife Liz Osborne; and great nephews Charlie and Benjamin Osborne, and Caleb Marshall.
Visitation will be Wednesday September 4, 2024, at Holland Funeral Directors (5281 Cliff Gookin Blvd., Tupelo, MS) from 10 AM to 12 PM. The funeral service will be held the same day, beginning at 1 PM, at Unity Presbyterian Church in Plantersville, MS. (662-840-5000)
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The University of Mississippi Foundation, to benefit the Ole Miss Opportunity Scholarship Fund. Please send to 406 University Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655 or visit our website www.umfoundation.com and click Give to Ole Miss.
