Janet Teresa Bishop

Janet Teresa Bishop, a resident of Ashland, Virginia, and beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to so many, died peacefully after a brief illness on May 4, 2024. She leaves her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to cherish her.

Janet was born and raised in New York, where she met the love of her life, Bill Bishop, in 1962. They were married in 1963 and quickly started to build a family. Janet and Bill moved to Lynchburg, VA, in 1964, where they raised their family of three girls. She was a dedicated mom devoted to her three daughters, gladly taking on numerous roles including home room mother, girl scout leader, baker extraordinaire, and talented seamstress. Janet and Bill moved to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1984 where she obtained a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Kennesaw State College. They returned to VA in 1996 to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Janet had a tremendous sense of family and community as exemplified by her years of volunteer work with the Chesterfield Extension Office as a Master Gardener, the Chesterfield County Police Department, and the Children's Hospital of Richmond (CHOR). She loved to enrich and nurture children's lives, volunteering as a teacher's aide for her granddaughter Brooke's classroom and providing hand-made items to those in need. As in all aspects of her life, she approached volunteering with noteworthy enthusiasm and joy. In addition to volunteer work, Janet was an avid card player, voracious reader, and community leader.

Janet will always remain in the hearts of her family and friends, being remembered for her constant love and support, eternal elegance and independent spirit. Even while facing her illness, she was focused on her girl's wellbeing, celebrating upcoming birthdays, and her grandson, Eric's graduation. Janet was loved by all and recognized as the neighborhood mom to many. She will be greatly missed, and memories of time spent with her will be cherished forever.

Janet is survived by three daughters, Cheryl Bishop, Karen Stewart (Pablo Govea), and Wendy Elsasser (Mike); two grandchildren, Brooke Fogleman (Steven) and Eric Stewart; two great-grandchildren, Bennett Maxwell Fogleman and Savannah Kate Fogleman; a brother, Tom Ford; and two nieces, Christina Milliken and Michele Pittard.

The family wishes to send special thanks to VCU Health System, especially Dr. Jennifer Catlin, Dr. Levi Procter, Jeniece Roane, Rene Carbone, and the STICU nurses.

The family will receive friends for a celebration of life on Saturday, May 11, 2024, from 1:00 - 3:00 PM, at the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Children's Hospital of Richmond (CHOR), National Wildlife Federation, or any library of your choice.