Edward Bishop

BISHOP, Edward "Mac" McDowell, 76, passed away on Sunday, September 5, 2010 in the arms of his wife of 54 years, Diana. During his last hours, he was surrounded by his family and friends. Born in 1934, in Danville, Va., he was the son of Curtis Vance Bishop and Helen McDowell Bishop. Mac had an amazing enthusiasm for life and never gave up on anything, including his struggle with Parkinson's Disease. He was a longtime member of Derbyshire Baptist Church and served in many capacities, including choir member, chairman of the Ministry of Deacons, and Sunday School teacher. He served on the Averett University Board of Directors. He was very involved with Averett University since his father was president of the University for 25 years and he grew up on the campus. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing at Cape Hatteras, hunting, golfing and gardening. He also enjoyed poetry, Shakespearean literature and history. A graduate of the University of Richmond, he was an ROTC student and a member of Phi Kappa Sigma. After graduation, he was a Captain in the U.S. Army Artillery. He then pursued a career at C&P Telephone Company, AT&T and the Virginia State Corporation Commission. Mac was predeceased by his parents; and his brother, Curtis. Mac is survived by his wife, Diana; daughters and sons-in-law, Kay (Peter), Betsy (Barry), Lynne (John); and grandchildren, Josh and wife, Becky, Rachel, Scottie, Curtis, Grayson, Brittan and Ian; and many nieces and nephews. Mac always, and frequently, told his family and friends that the three most important things to him were God, family and country - in that order. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 12, 2010 at 2:30 p.m. at Derbyshire Baptist Church, 8800 Derbyshire Road, Richmond, Va. 23229. The family will receive guests following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Parkinson's Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, N.Y. 10305 (apdaparkinson.org), or to Derbyshire Baptist Church.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.