Ernestine Bishop Obituary – Nov. 8, 1928 – March 8, 2020

Ernestine Thurmand Bishop, 91, of Henderson, died at her home at Heritage Towers early Sunday morning March 8, 2020. Funeral services were 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, at Shackelford Funeral Directors – Crook Avenue Chapel with Jeff Thomas officiating, and burial followed in Haltom’s Chapel Cemetery. The family received friends at Crook Avenue from noon-2p.m. Tuesday.
She was born in Dyersburg on Nov. 8, 1928, daughter of the late Elbert and Jane Prude Cook Thurmand. She grew up in the Montezuma Community of Chester County as a child and attended Phillips Schoolhouse.
She married J.W. Thomas in 1944. They were married 16 years. She later married Roy Maness, and they were married for 20 years. She later married Arlin Bishop.
She was a homemaker for many years as she raised her children. She then worked in the garment industry for Salant and Salant, Oakley Fashions and other small local factories. She also worked at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in housekeeping.
She loved working the yard, raising flowers and vegetables. She also enjoyed walking. She was a member of the Church of God in Henderson.
She is survived by a son, Bobby (Virginia) Thomas of Henderson; two daughters, Betty Sue James of Henderson and Janie Swope of Pinson; six grandchildren, Brian Swope, Crystal (Steve) Harris, Kenneth (Rebecca) James, Keith and Mark James and Jeff Thomas; five great-grandchildren, Hunter Harris, Austin Bingham, Jessica James, Riley and Kayla Thomas; five great-great-grandchildren, Emma Beth Stinson, Jacob Charles Wilson, Tucker Wayne Hays and Crosby and Carter Thomas.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, William Elbert Thomas; a daughter Margaret Ann Thomas; three brothers Ray, Buck and Buddy Thurmand; and a sister Reba Combs.