Mother Earlie Mae Bishop

Mother Earlie Mae Bishop was born on October 10, 1920 in Ridgeland, SC., to Jannie Perry Willis and Robert Polite. She was educated in the Ridgeland School District. Thereafter, she traveled to New York to seek employment. She was employed at Harlem Hospital after obtaining her Nurses' Aide Certification, and she was stationed in the pediatric ward. She joined Shiloh Baptist Church in Harlem under the leadership of Pastor Wainwright. There, she was a faithful member, joining the Gospel Choir where she loved singing. She actively participated in the Pastor's Aide Ministry and the Charity Board.

After her mother Jannie Willis became ill, Mother Bishop returned to South Carolina to take care of her. Soon after, she joined First Euhaw Baptist Church, the church where she was baptized at a young age, under the leadership of Pastor Allen Galloway. At First Euhaw Baptist Church, Mother Bishop continued singing in the Gospel Choir and served in the church until her health began to fail her. She was elevated to the prestigious title of Mother of the Church. Her favorite scripture was Psalms 37 and her favorite hymns were "Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross" and "I Surrender All."

She loved God and she loved her church. She will be sorely missed by her family and church. Mother Earlie Mae Bishop went home to be with her Lord and Savior on June 7, 2019 at Bayview Manor in Beaufort, SC. She is preceded in death by her daughter Catherine Cooper and her son Elbert Gaither, Jr.,

She leaves behind precious memories to her son Robert (Dorothy) Strobert of Statesboro, Ga.; daughter-in-law Denise Gaither of Wappingers Falls, NY.; nephews Albert (Vera) Heyward and Paul Goodwin both of Ridgeland, SC.; goddaughter Veronica Lawyer of Hilton Head, SC.; her friend Anna Watson-Hyacinth; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, and other relatives and friends.

Special thans to Shirley Bolden, nephew Paul Goodwin of Ridgeland, SC., Shirley Smith and the Lowcountry Medical Agency, and Bayview Manor Nursing Home in Beaufort, SC., Eunice Magwood of Lowcountry Council of Governments.

Family and friends visitations will be Friday June 14, 2019 from 5-7pm at the Allen Funeral Home Complex, 8881 Coosaw Scenic Dr., Ridgeland, SC.

Home Going Celebration for Mother Earlie Mae Bishop will be Saturday June 15, 2019 at 11am at the First Euhaw Baptist Church, 7855 Lowcountry Drive, Ridgeland, SC. 29936, with the Pastor Allen Galloway, Officiating.

Allen Funeral Home of Ridgeland, SC., are in charge of arrangements

This is a courtesy announcement made by the Craig R. Tremble Funeral Home, Statesboro Chapel.

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