Beverly Jo Bishop

Beverly Jo Bishop was born in San Diego, California on October 28, 1943, during the Second World War. Her parents, Edward Bishop and LaVene Evetts Bishop, left Texas for California to help with the war effort by working in a defense plant building airplanes.

When the war ended, Ed and LaVene came back to Texas and settled in Fort Worth. Beverly was a product of the Fort Worth ISD from kindergarten through 12th grade. She graduated from Polytechnic High School in 1961 and like to joke that the Poly mascot was the FIERCE parrot that had to peck its rivals to death on the football field.

After graduation Beverly began her college career at Texas Wesleyan College, now University. Living in a time when women could basically choose to become a housewife, nurse, secretary or teacher, she chose the latter. Later in life, she would tell others she thought she would have made a good attorney as she discovered she had the ability to wrench the truth from many a reluctant student.

Upon graduation from TWC in 1965, she immediately enrolled for the summer in a Master's program at North Texas State, now known as the University of North Texas. She soon realized her mistake when she sat in classrooms filled with experienced teachers and she had not yet taught a full day without help. Needless to say, she had little to say during those summer months, but she learned much that would serve her well when she started her career in Cleburne, Texas. Later in her career, she would receive a second Masters of Education with a certification in Administration.

Starting her teaching career with second graders, Beverly soon discovered she needed a more mature audience to understand her jokes. So, upon moving to Garland after three years, she began teaching fifth grade at Kimberlin Elementary. When the GISD changed to the middle school concept, she took her fifth grade class with her to Austin Middle School. After 17 years at Austin, Beverly was privileged to help open Lyles Middle School. She moved in administration after eight years at Lyles, by becoming the Assistant Principal at O'Banion Middle School. She finished her public school career by serving as Assistant Principal at Sellers Middle School, from which she retired in 2000.

Retirement was sweet but short… 18 months and then a second career was started by working with student teachers as a University Supervisor for Texas A&M Commerce. Beverly retired a second time in May of 2014.

Beverly received many honors during her career; the Agnes Smith Leadership Award from the Garland Education Association, Teacher of the Year for Garland ISD, Teacher of the Year from Garland Federation of Women's Clubs and Honorary Life memberships in the PTA from schools in Cleburne and Garland. She said the most meaningful, was the award from the Garland Education Association, because it came from an organization, she worked in for most of her career and counted Agnes Smith as a friend she was blessed to know.

Beverly was a faithful Christian and a loving daughter and sister. She was preceded in death by her father, mother and sister, Barbara Bishop Cantrell, who was her best friend and favorite traveling buddy. They enjoyed new traveling experiences especially aboard a cruise liner

Beverly treasured her extended family and many good friends She thanked God often for the people who became so important in her life. She remained active in the Saturn Road Church of Christ until her death.