Beverly (Perkins) Bishop

Beverly (Perkins) Bishop was born in Wright County, Missouri, on May 17, 1952, to Helen (Stevens) and Laverne Perkins. Jesus, her precious Savior, escorted her through Heaven’s gates on June 18, 2024, in Springfield, at the age of 72 years, 1 month and 1 day. Beverly accepted Jesus as her Savior at an early age and lived her life to bring glory to Him in everything she did. She was a blessing and a witness to every person with whom she came in contact. Bev attended church at Dawson Assembly of God. She went to school at Manes Elementary and Mountain Grove High School. She obtained her Bachelors Degree from School of the Ozarks and her Masters Degree from Missouri State University. She married her college sweetheart, Raymond Bishop, on May 13, 1972. To this union, three children were born: Samuel Ray, Sarah LeeAnn and Stephen Clyde. Beverly and Raymond were blessed with 52 wonderful years of marriage before her passing. Beverly grew up and raised her children in Manes. She and Raymond moved to Mountain Grove after their children were grown. She was an amazing mother to not only her three children, but to everyone around her. She had a special gift of working with children and spent most of her life as a teacher; teaching VBS and Sunday School, as well as teaching at Mountain Grove Christian Academy, Houston Middle School and Mountain Grove Middle School. After retirement, she continued to work with college age kids, teaching and tutoring with Missouri State University until recently. The light of her life, her grandchildren, were almost always nearby. Gram was one of their favorite people, and she found great joy in making each one feel special and loved. Her favorite times were those spent making memories with her loved ones. Beverly will be remembered for her kindness and the blessing that she was to every life she touched. Her constant encouragement through cards, phone calls and text messages will be always remembered and cherished. She wanted to make sure everyone knew about Jesus and reminded them often to make sure to meet her in Heaven. Beverly loved to cook, and was always found making a special treat for someone. She also enjoyed going on walks and being in nature. She loved flowers and plants. Teaching math was her passion and calling in life. Gospel music was her favorite. Above all, she loved her Savior!  
Beverly was preceded in death by her parents; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Dollie and Leland Bishop; one brother, Carl Lorane Perkins; one brother-in-law, Donald Duane Bishop and an unborn great-grandchild. Beverly is survived by her husband, Raymond; her three children, Samuel Bishop and his wife, Stacey, of Mansfield; Sarah Prock and her husband, Steve, of Cabool; and Stephen and his wife, Stacy, of Sparta; three siblings, Mary Kimble and her husband, Kurt, of Neosho; Donna Barr and her husband, Donald, of Mountain Grove; and Jim Perkins and wife, Jeannea, of Mountain Grove; Beverly “Gram” also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Samantha Bishop, Jeffrey Stuart and wife, Abby, Shyanne Bishop, Jason Stuart, Silas Bishop, Emerson Bishop, Ophelia Bishop and Bronson Bishop; as well as a host of other relatives and friends who will miss her very dearly. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 24, 2024 at the Dawson Assembly of God Church with Smiley Martin officiating.  Interment was in the Manes Cemetery under the direction of Elliott-Gentry-Carder Funeral Home of Cabool. Online condolences may be made at www.egcfuneralhome.com.