Earl Graham Bishop

Earl Graham Bishop, 88, left this world for eternal glory on Friday, January 26, 2024. He was  born April 23, 1935 to Soloman Pierce Bishop and Ina Mae Mobley Bishop in Smiley, TX. His family and friends from his childhood lovingly call him “E.G.”  In 1960, he married the love of his life, Linda Carol Streety Bishop, and they had three daughters that they adored, Carol, Lisa, and LeeAnn. Earl is best known for his faithfulness to his Heavenly Father; his love and devotion to his wife, daughters, and grandchildren; and his kindness, generosity and service to his church and community. 

Earl attended school in Smiley, TX, and graduated in 1952. He loved his country, and joined the US Air Force in 1955. While in the Air Force he was assigned to England and Germany, and enjoyed meeting up with his brother, Virgil, who was serving in the US Army. After leaving the Air Force, he attended Durham Technical School in San Antonio, TX and was employed at Medina AFB as an aircraft mechanic. 

Earl and Linda resided in San Antonio until Earl went to work for Brown & Root at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Houston where he worked in the testing and simulation lab, including SpaceCraft and the Lunar Rover. Later, he worked with instrumentation at Amoco Chemical and Oil Company and EPIC in the Houston and Galveston areas.

They made their home in League City, TX and were active members of the First Baptist Church (now Bay Area Church). Earl was ordained as a deacon and had a combined service of more than 50 years at churches in League City and Smiley. In League City, he also served as a Sunday School Teacher and with the bus ministry, which was committed to bringing unchurched children to church on Sundays. He loved helping people in the community, especially children and the elderly, and did so quietly and often anonymously. He was actively involved with the Bay Area Christian School where his daughters attended. He also enjoyed going on mission trips; his favorite was to Costa Rica.

In 1997, Earl retired and he and Linda moved back to Smiley, TX. He and his brothers renovated Linda’s family home where they settled into life in the country. They were busier than ever and spent their time seeing their grandchildren, caring for their aging mothers, serving at the First Baptist Church in Smiley, and volunteering with the Texas Baptist Men with Disaster Relief. Earl and Linda also traveled across the United States in their RV and enjoyed seeing the country and camping with friends, family, and their grandchildren. More than anything, they loved being near to their six grandchildren, their pride and joy, and attended many athletic events, dances performances, recitals, church programs, baptisms, and graduations.

Earl leaves a legacy of devotion to his family and service to God and his community. 
He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Linda Carol Streety Bishop; his parents, Solomon and Ina Bishop; his infant son, Earl Graham Bishop, Jr.; son-in-law, Dr. David Jimenez;  sister-in-law, Betty Bishop; brother and sister-in-law, Elder and Gracie Bishop; and his brothers-in-law, William Duncan and Philip Streety.
He is survived by his daughters, Carol Pierce and husband, Billy, of San Antonio; Lisa Jimenez, of El Paso; LeeAnn Dunn and husband, Darren, of Seguin; grandchildren Everett Pierce, Ellis Pierce, Ethan Pierce and wife, Sarah, Julia Beebe, Carter Dunn, and Addison Dunn; siblings Howard Bishop (Francis), Viola Duncan, Virgil Bishop, Irene Gaylord (Tommy); brother-in-law, Jim Streety (Janie); sister in law, Jackie Streety; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Finch Funeral Chapel in Nixon. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Finch Funeral Chapel in Nixon. Interment will follow at the Bundick Cemetery in Smiley. Following the services, a reception will be held at First Baptist Church Smiley. 
 
Memorial contributions may be made to Texas Baptist Men (https://www.tbmtx.org/ways-to-give) or to First Baptist Church Smiley.