Jimmie Thomas Bishop

Jimmie (Jim) Thomas Bishop of Bramwell, WV passed away peacefully at home on the morning of January 13, 2023.  Jim was born on May 6, 1941 in Matoaka, WV to Clarence Glenwood Bishop and Pansy Lester Oaks Bishop.  He later moved to Roanoke, VA where he graduated from William Fleming High School.  A gifted athlete, he attended Gardner-Webb Jr. College on a football scholarship.  From there he went on to wrestle at Appalachian State University.  When an injury ended his wrestling career, Jim enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed in Guam.  After being honorably discharged he returned to his studies attending East Tennessee State University where he met his wife of 58 years, Joyce O’Dell Bishop.  Jim graduated from ETSU with a BS Degree.  Always in pursuit of education, he would go on to earn a Masters Degree from GA State University and a law degree from The Woodrow Wilson College of Law in Atlanta, GA.  

While living and raising his family in Fayetteville, GA, Jim pursued a variety of additional interests and activities.  For over 20 years he officiated high school wrestling and received an award for distinguished service from the Georgia High School Association.  Jim also established the first youth wrestling program for the South Metro Wrestling Association.  He spent many years as a volunteer fireman.  Jim helped to found a Home Owner’s Association in his neighborhood and served on the board of directors for many years.  Always up for a challenge, Jim found time to  study and master house building.  He built seven houses in GA including one for his brother and one for his daughter and her family.  He did all this while working full-time in various law enforcement positions.  Jim began his professional career as a Fulton County Probation Officer.  From there he went to work at the US Penitentiary, Atlanta as a case manager.  Ultimately he retired in 1998 as a Supervising U.S Probation Officer.

Upon his retirement, he and his wife Joyce moved to Bramwell where they owned and operated the Perry House Bed and Breakfast.  Never one to sit still, Jim became actively involved in his community.  He served on the board of the Mercer County Solid Waste Commission, the Bramwell Town Council, the Governor’s Youth Program, the Bluewell Lions Club (president for one year), and he was the Bramwell Traffic Court Judge.  Most notably Jim formed the Bramwell Theatre Corporation and produced Smoke on the Mountain for 20 years.  

Jim is survived by his wife, Joyce O’Dell Bishop; his children Sherry Bishop (Jude Dvorak), Amy Roberts and Jimmy Bishop; his grandchildren Kyle Roberts, Alayna Roberts, Brett Roberts and Ava Dvorak; and his sister Shirley Bishop Shutt.  Jim’s family would like to express their sincere appreciation to their neighbors, friends, and their church family at Bramwell United Methodist Church for their love, support and countless meals.  They would also like thank the staff at Compassus for their kind and compassionate care.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, January 21 at 1pm in the Bramwell Presbyterian Church.