Geraldine M. "Gerry" Bishop

Geraldine M. (Gerry) Bishop, age 89, a native of Pass Christian died Wednesday December 9, 2009 in Gulfport.
Gerry is preceded in death by her parents Charles A. Martin and Ellen Ziz Martin, her husband Gordon Errol Bishop, former mayor of Pass Christian, and her brother Charles Roland Martin.
She is survived by two sons, Charles Martin Bishop and wife Marion of Huntsville, Ala. and David Gordon Bishop of Pass Christian, MS.; grandchildren Helen Bishop, Martin Bishop, David Lloyd Bishop, Elizabeth Bishop Holloway, (Mike), Melissa Bishop Tullier, (Josh), Susan Bishop Page (John Adam) and Jessica Bishop Cramer (Joe), 9 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Gerry was born on November 19, 1920. She was named Miss Pass Christian when she was 16 years old. She graduated from St. Joseph School and attended one year at Ursuline College in New Orleans, La. She was awarded the Theodore N. Vail Silver Medal for courage and devotion to duty for her work as a switchboard operator during the hurricane of 1947. She retired after 30 years with South Central Bell. She was awarded a life membership in the Telephone Pioneers of America.
Gerry loved Pass Christian where she lived her entire life and raised her family. She enjoyed her involvement in many community organizations. She was a faithful member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Holy Family Parish.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, December 12, 2009, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pass Christian followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at Live Oak Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be sent to St. Stanislaus College or Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 19130 Commission Road, Long Beach is in charge of arrangements, and a guestbook may be signed at www.riemannfamily.com.