Curtis Lester Bishop

Curtis Lester Bishop, 90, of Bramwell, WV passed away peacefully at home on August 30, 2021. Curtis, the eldest child from the union of Clarence Glenwood Bishop and Pansy Lester Oaks Bishop, was born on February 22, 1931 in Herndon, WV. He graduated from Matoaka High School in 1950. In the early 1950’s he entered college in the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) in Blacksburg, VA. Curtis excelled at VPI later becoming Senior Lead Cadet of the college. He went on to serve in the US Army until 1963 at which time he received an honorable discharge. He continued with his studies at George Washington University studying Law. While attending VPI he worked for the Virginian Railroad thus beginning his long, exemplary career with the Rail Road. The Virginian Railroad merged with Norfolk and Western Railroad and ultimately became Norfolk and Southern (N & S). Curtis held numerous positions at N&S in marketing and sales that took him from Roanoke, VA to San Francisco, CA to St. Louis, MO to Columbus, OH to Cleveland, OH and ultimately Atlanta, GA. He rose through the ranks of the railroad serving in the specialized portion of marketing called Industrial Development. Upon retirement from N&S in 1992 he held the position of National Manager, Industrial Development. Curtis moved to Bramwell, WV in 1998 and lovingly restored a beautiful home on Brick St. He furnished this home with the many antiques he had collected throughout his lifetime. Curtis was an active member of the Bramwell Community. He was a member of the Bramwell Presbyterian Church. He was also a staunch supporter of the Bramwell Theatre Corporation and was in charge of the box office at theatre events and frequently placed his house of the Tour of Homes. Curtis valued and placed a high importance on family. As a result, he was loved immensely by his many siblings. He was a doting uncle to his many nieces and nephews who regarded him with love, admiration and much affection. A true Southern gentleman, he was revered and respected by all who knew him. His presence will be sorely missed by his large circle of friends, neighbors and family. In addition to his parents, Curtis was predeceased by his siblings, Mildred Bishop, Herbert Bishop, Sidna Bishop, Ray Bishop, Betty Bishop, and Rose Bishop. He is survived by his sister, Shirley Bishop Shutt of Sandlick, WV, his brother Jimmie Bishop of Bramwell, WV and his nieces and nephews John Bishop, Faith Bishop Conger, Ragan Bishop Farris, Robin Bishop Clary, Ed Carbaugh, Peggy Flomerfelt, Brian Shutt, Patti Watkins, Sherry Bishop, Amy Bishop Roberts, Jimmy Bishop, Brad Bowman, Donna Bowman, Steve Bowman and many great and great- great nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Bramwell Presbyterian Church on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 10:00am. He will be buried later that day at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens in Roanoke, VA alongside his parents. Cravens-Shires Funeral Home is serving the family.