James Henry Bishop, formerly of Greenville, SC, went home to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010. Henry is survived by his wife, Pat Jenkins Thackston Bishop , Greenville; daughters, April B. Smith (Kent), Demorest, Ga., Judy B. Samples (Craig) Suwanee, Ga., Robin B. Nichols (Steve) Buford, Ga. and Dawn B. Dooly (John IV) Buford, Ga; his grandchildren, Stella and Samuel Smith, David (and Cary) Nichols, Mark Nichols and Lindsey Jordan, Phillip (and Megan) Nichols, and Thomas Nichols, and Ruth and Rebecca Dooly; sisters, Mildred Garrett (Carl) Laurens, Nena Burts, Laurens and Sue Elledge (Lamar) Ware Shoals; step-children, Scott Thackston (Kristin) Greenville, and Kim Thackston Luequi (Steven) Greer; and step-grandchildren, Andrew Forrester, Amber Luequi, and Kendall and Evan Thackston.
Henry was born in Ware Shoals July 14, 1925 a son of the late Lonnie and Essie Bishop. He was predeceased by Margaret Gambrell, Lee Bishop, Everett Bishop, and Barbara Ann Williams, and Marian Ruby Bishop. Henry served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II, as a Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class, onboard the USS Swanson DD443, in the South Pacific theatre. After the War, Henry married the late Rebecca Wood, and graduated from Clemson University, where he majored in all-things-textile, and ensued upon a career in management in the textile industry with Riegel Textiles and Habersham Mills (GA), and later in the sales and consulting of textile machinery. Henry was a proud veteran, a Clemson Tigers enthusiast, a member of the Lion’s club, a deacon in several Southern Baptist churches, a Sunday School teacher, and a faithful friend to many. The family will receive friends at 2:00 pm, prior to the funeral service, which will be Sunday, Jan. 10, at 3:00 pm, at Poplar Springs Baptist Church, Ware Shoals, SC, with Henry’s nephew, the Rev. Dr. Marcus Bishop, officiating. Parker-White Funeral Home, 17 North Greenwood Ave., Ware Shoals, SC 29692, (864) 456-2412, is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Henry’s memory, to the Poplar Springs Cemetery Maintenance Fund, Box 124, Ware Shoals, SC 29692. Online Condolences may be made at www.parkerwhitepruitt.com