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Sandra “Jane” Shuford Bishop, (78) of Snellville, Georgia, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at her home in Snellville.

Jane was born in LaGrange, Georgia, on Aug. 4, 1944, to Reuben Augustus Shuford and Lila Mae Fruitticher Shuford. 

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 56 years, Larry Roswell Bishop; their sons, Paul Roswell Bishop (Valerie) and Patrick Augustus “Gus” Bishop (Nicole); their 5 grandchildren, Savannah Rachel Bishop, Bailey Augustus Bishop (Abigail), Bryce Roswell Bishop, Briana Nicole Bishop and Mason Charles Bishop; and their great-grandson, Carter Augustus Bishop (Bailey & Abigail); her sister, Karen Shuford Jeter of LaGrange, Georgia; her sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jane graduated from LaGrange High School in 1962, and from LaGrange College in 1966, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. 

Jane and Larry met at a youth event at their church, Unity Baptist Church in LaGrange, Georgia, and were married in a private ceremony on August 6, 1966, in Roanoke, Alabama, and renewed their vows on their 10th wedding anniversary at the First Presbyterian Church in LaGrange surrounded by family and friends.

Jane taught elementary school for many years and thoroughly enjoyed teaching and positively impacting the young lives of so many children. She was an outstanding teacher with a heart for her students. Jane was known to bring clothes from home or purchase clothes and lunches for her students in need. Among some of the schools where Jane taught were Cascade Elementary School in Atlanta, River Road Elementary School in Columbus, Georgia, and Annistown Road Church Preschool in Snellville.

Jane was most recently a member of Snellville United Methodist Church (Snellville, Georgia) and Sonrise Baptist Church (Lawrenceville, Georgia). 

In fact Jane played the piano and organ at church in her early years in addition to singing in the church choir. Unfortunately, due to her declining health, she was unable to continue attending their local church.

Jane’s favorite thing to do was to spend time with her husband and family. She loved her husband, Larry, so very much, and because of this love, one would rarely see them apart. Jane and Larry were inseparable, and their loving marriage will forever be a great example for their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and countless other couples. Jane and Larry received much joy from watching and singing southern gospel songs at home. 

Jane enjoyed watching her sons and grandchildren participate in numerous sports activities and pagents. She was an avid Georgia Bulldog fan and did not miss watching a game on TV in the fall. 

She adored her two boys, grandchildren and great-grandson. 

Every time the family was together, Jane was in her happy place. Her favorite place to go with her family was to the north Georgia mountains. Jane and Larry had just returned from a week-long trip to the north Georgia mountains the day prior to her passing. 

The family made frequent trips to the mountains where so many memories were made with the children and grandchildren. While in the mountains, the family enjoyed playing games together, go-kart racing, and sightseeing. 

Jane also enjoyed sitting on the beach and watching Larry, the boys, and the grandchildren play in the ocean. In later years at the beach, it became difficult for her to walk, so family members would lead and assist her in getting her feet in the surf. She loved the feel of the warm ocean water.

 Jane and Larry made a memorable trip to Hawaii many years ago, where they enjoyed seeing all of God’s natural beauty.

Jane lived Christ’s greatest commandments to love the Lord thy God with all your heart, soul, and mind and to love thy neighbor as thyself (Matthew 22:37-39). Every morning Jane and Larry would have a Christian devotional that continued even on the day before her passing. These moments were most precious to them and allowed them to give thanks to God for all of His blessings and to ask for His protection and provisions for their family and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 2 P.M. at The Vine Church at 1897 Highway 211, Hoschton, Georgia 30548, and will be officiated by her son, Pastor Gus Bishop, who has been one of the pastors at The Vine Church (Chateau Elan Campus) for 16 years. 

A reception will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks for donations in her name to Samaritan’s Purse at www.samaritanspurse.org and The Lupus Foundation of America at lupus.org/ways-to-give-0.

Condolences can be sent and viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com or mailed to Paul Bishop at 761 Deer Oaks Drive, Lawrenceville, Georgia, 30044.