Joan completed her high school education at Winston County High School in Louisville, MS. Additional studies included a bachelor's degree from Jackson State University and a Master's Degree in Secondary Reading and Special Education from Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama. She also did further studies in Secondary Reading at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky.
An avid educator, Mrs. Bishop had over 40 years of experience in teaching, program facilitating, coordinating, academic advising, tutoring, and working with students. Joan was an effective educator, developer, organizer, and planner. It can be said that Mrs. Bishop loved teaching, and she loved her students.
Those who will cherish her loving memory are: her sons, Ralph Hunter Bishop II., of Frankfort, Kentucky, and Shawn Burks Bishop (Delphia) of Jackson, MS; four grandchildren, Shyla A. Bishop, Shawn B. Bishop II, Thaddeus F. Bishop, and Gwendolyn C. Bishop; a sister, Jeanette Burks, of New York, N.Y.; and special cousins, Gloria Jean (Levernge) of Bellwood, IL., Helen Green (William) of New York, N.Y., Marguerite Bostic and Jean Fowler of Jackson, Michigan, and Carolyn Hathorne of Illinois.
She also leaves to cherish her memory: two brothers-in-law, Edward S. Bishop Jr.,(Rosemary), B. V. Bishop, Sr. (Carrine); a sister-in-law, Gwendolyn B. Chambliss; a cousin, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., of Columbus, Georgia; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, students, and many friend who will miss her kind, friendly demeanor.
Joan was preceded in death by: her mother and father, Melvin and Wilhelmina Burks; husband, Ralph H. Bishop, Sr.; step-father, Everett Johnson; brothers, Carl, Melvin and James Burks; and sisters, Gloria Burks and Ida Andrews.
Visitation is Wednesday, May 1, 2013, from 1-8p.m. (family present 6-8 p.m.) at Lakeover Memorial Funeral Home. Services are Thursday, May 2, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church (655 Beasley Rd., Jackson, MS), followed by interment at Garden Memorial Park