Sister Doreatha G. Bishop

Sister Doreatha Gillis-Bishop

A precious one is gone from us, a voice we loved is stilled, and a place is vacant in our hearts that never can be filled.

She was born the eighth child of nine siblings who preceded her in death: Mary and Martha (twins), Beatrice, Florence, Lelia Mae, Fred, Murray, Joseph, and Willie Lee.

Doreatha began her education at Great Cypress Church School and further in Butler School in Barnwell, South Carolina under Principal Butler.

At an early age, she was converted, baptized and became a member of the Great Cypress Missionary Baptist Church where she sang on the Senior Choir and as years passed became the oldest member and Mother of the church. Doreatha was baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of her sins by Evangelist Joseph Mushutt. She tarried and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Doreatha also was the oldest member of St. John Benevolent Society, Pride of Barnwell OES #77 in Barnwell, South Carolina. She was honored and given a plate on February 4, 2023 as the oldest living member of District 10 Order of the Eastern Star PHA, Presented by GSD, Gwendolyn Walker, and District Patron L. Keith Mitchel. 

Mom loved canning her vegetables, making lye soap, sewing quilts, working in her flower garden, and her cats. She also loved having her children around her and because the family grew so large, there were many reunions, birthday parties, and celebrations of all kinds giving us the memories so precious to us today. Mom dressed in blue for many of these events because blue was her favorite color of choice. She would always say, "You can change your friends, but not your family." Thank you to the Trinity Home Health of Aiken, Nurse Tabitha, David, PT and Brad, Centerwell Home Health, Nurse Katelyn, SC House Calls, Nurse Practitioner, Carletta Gray, Yolanda Earle, Case Manager for the care and loving way they took care of Mother.

Preceded her in death was her beloved husband Blake, Sr., her son Blake Bishop Jr., daughter Willie Mae Sellars, her son Richard Bishop, daughter-in-law Melvena Bishop and son-in-law Wade Frank, Sr, 

She leaves to cherish her beautiful memory: Two sons: William Henry Bishop (Peggy), and Wille Lee Bishop, Two Daughters: Annie Mae Fluitt (Leon) and Maryann Frank. Daughters-in-law: Linda Bishop and Lizzie Bishop, Son-in-Law: Irvin Sellars. Nineteen (19) Grandchildren, Twenty-Two (22) Great-Grandchildren, Six (6) Great-Great-Great Grand Children. Special in her heart were her nieces Ora Lee Green and Annie R. Way of Augusta Georgia and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and sympathizing friends.  

Very Dear to her were:  Elder Lemuel Eaves, Mr. Jimmy Ford, Mr. and Mrs. Donald and Diane Hallingquest, Mr. McArthur Dunbar, Daughters: Mrs. Sarah Carter, Mrs. Mary Ford, Mrs. Joann Ford, Mrs. Rosa Spratley, Mrs. Lucille Brown Robinson, Ms. Michelle Anderson, Ms. Elouise Dunbar, Ms. Carolyn Brown and Mrs. Lizzie Wright.

"Another soldier gone to her great reward. She fought the fight, she kept the faith, and now she has gone home to God."