Shirley Whitley Bishop

Shirley Wright Bishop, 84, of Hopewell, VA, passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2025. Born in Isle of Wight County, VA on October 19, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Woodrow Wilson Whitley and Fannie Butler Whitley. She was also preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years, Robert James Bishop, and her sister, Evelyn Harris.

Shirley was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church in Hopewell, VA, where she dedicated much of her time and faith. She enjoyed a long career in the banking and insurance industries, specializing in auto financing and loans, before transitioning to the Hopewell Police Department, where she worked on data entry and reports. Shirley was cherished by family and friends for her thoughtful tradition of mailing cards for every occasion, a gesture that brought joy and anticipation to all who received them. In her younger years, she and her husband traveled extensively across the United States, with a special love for visiting lighthouses, inspiring her to collect and proudly display lighthouse figurines.

She is survived by her sister, Judy W. Evans; her brother, Raymond Whitley; and many other extended family members.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA 23834. Entombment will take place privately in Southlawn Memorial Park, S Prince George, VA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Shirley’s honor to First United Methodist Church, PO Box 636, Hopewell, VA 23860.