Rev. Alfred Bishop

Reverend Alfred Bishop, age 80, of Waverly, Tennessee, passed from this life on August 8, 2022, at his residence with his faithful wife by his side. After a long and courageous battle, God put his arms around him; surrounded by a host of angels, he exchanged his old rugged cross for a crown and was taken home. He was a member of the Camden First United Pentecostal Church and daily strove to live a faithful, true, and trusting life in the eyes of his God. Alfred was born on November 28, 1941, in McEwen, Tennessee, to the late Doyle Wenfield Bishop and Carrie Ola Johnson Bishop. When he was four years old, he moved with his parents to Oxnard, California. He returned to McEwen at the age of 16, where he graduated from McEwen High School in 1960. Always a gentleman; compassionate and kind, he was known as Al to family and friends. Destined to be soulmates, he was united in holy matrimony with Joanne Wanamaker, on June 17, 1961. The love they shared for more than 61 years was a living testimony to those around them of what “true love” is meant to be. Although he was small in stature, he was a giant in Joanne’s sight and will forever be her “dragonslayer”. Al and Joanne made homes together in California, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and eventually returned to Tennessee where they permanently settled in Waverly. While making many acquaintances, friends, and wonderful memories throughout the years, he was employed by Acme Boot Company, Global Power Company, Mid West Supply Company, and at Humphreys County Utility District from where he retired. The calling Al dedicated his life to and was most passionate about was being a minister. In 1972, he was ordained as a minister in the United Pentecostal Church. He served as an evangelist and pastored the Waverly First United Pentecostal Church for a number of years. In 2018, he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Tennessee District United Pentecostal Church in recognition of his commitment and sacrifice to the cause of Jesus Christ. After many years of faithful and diligent service, he retired from the ministry due to illness. During his lifetime, Al enjoyed spending time with his family and friends; eating tasty home cooked meals that were cheerfully and lovingly prepared by his wife; traveling; going on mission trips; music and singing; gardening and landscaping; collecting Native American artifacts and studying the diversities of their vast cultures. He was proud of the fact that he could trace his ancestry back to Quanah Parker, who was the last chief of the Comanche. Al was also known for his love of all creatures great and small. Over the years, he rescued many animals. His favorites were his three canine friends, Jetta, Zeva, and Sophie. He gave them a happy home, where they had a beautiful yard to play in and explore, and a lifetime of love. Sophie is still at home there and will be looking for and missing her “Poppa”. When he would reflect upon his life, Al’s prayer was that he had always been the example and inspiration to those around him that would reflect God’s love for them. He prayed daily that he would make a positive impact upon others’ lives and that his ending would be greater than his beginning… 2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (KJV) He was preceded in death by his parents, Doyle Wenfield Bishop and Carrie Ola Johnson Bishop Andrews; his infant brother; step-father, William Andrews; brother and sister-in-law, Perry and Linda Andrews; brother-in-law, Gus Stenfors; niece, Pamela Wells Wilder; aunts, Ruth Johnson Tester and Louise Johnson Nicholas; uncles, Bill Johnson, Woodrow Johnson, Henry Johnson, and Eugene Johnson; and great nephew, Steven Stenfors. Al is survived by his loving wife, Joanne Wanamaker Bishop; sister, Carolyn Andrews Stenfors; sister-in-law, Martha “Tootie” Beasley and husband, Jerry; nieces, Shelley and Tony Lockhart, Sherry and Craig Katajamaki, Sandy and Cary Lincoln, Kelly Andrews, Shawna Andrews, and Yawna Andrews; nephews, Jonathan and Michelle Beasley, and William and Amanda Stenfors; great nieces, Brittany Lockhart, Nora Beasley, Tiffany Katajamaki, Alaina Stenfors, Caitlyin Stenfors, and several others; great nephews, Jeremy Lockhart, Conly Lockhart, Nicholas Sharon, Luke Stenfors, Michael Andrews, and several others; and a host of other special family and friends. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00pm on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at Humphreys County Funeral Home in Waverly. Funeral Services for Rev. Bishop will be conducted at 2:00pm Sunday, August 14, 2022, in the Humphreys County Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Marty Johnson and David Wiser officiating. Burial will follow in Richlawn Cemetery in Waverly. Active Pallbearers will be Jonathan Baker, Rev. Jerry Beasley, Jonathan Beasley, Rev. Howard Crawford, Conly Lockhart, and Tony Lockhart. Honorary Pallbearers will be Rev. Dustin Damesworth, Rev. Danny Duke, Jason Fullerton, Carl Ray Jones, Paul Powers, Loyd Ross, Wesley Smith, Josh Stanfill, and Jason Woods. Those who wish may share a memory or send condolences to the family on the online guest register book at www.humphreyscountyfuneralhome.com Arrangements by Humphreys County Funeral Home, (931) 296-5955