Kathryn "Sally" Bishop James

Kathryn "Sally" Bishop James passed away peacefully on February 10, 2025, surrounded by her family. She will be remembered for her warm smile, infectious laughter, and fearless nature. 

Sally was born to Floyd and Katherine Bishop June 24,1938, in Pass Christian Mississippi. As the first of ten children she learned to love a busy house and how to cook for twelve or twenty-five, two things she did for the rest of her life. She graduated from St. Joseph High School and married Thomas Wayne James soon after. They would go on to raise three children before she took a job at the Pass Christian Library. As Children's Librarian, Sally would whisk the youth of Pass Christian to fictional lands with her story time and welcome countless new families to the community. After Katrina, she planted a doublewide trailer in War Memorial Park and deemed it the temporary Library, which became a hub for volunteers and a lifeline for anyone who needed it. As Head Librarian, she was instrumental in rebuilding the Library which stands today where she would work until retirement. But she never stopped being Mrs. Sally to anyone who needed help or a history of Pass Christian. 

 She was a pillar, a titan, a port in a storm with a devotion to the church, her family, and the community which raised her. A love for reading, cooking, and visiting on the porch filled each of her days. Sally lived a selfless life of service. Pass Christian named her Outstanding Citizen in 2014. The University of Southern Mississippi honored her with the Kaigler-Lamont Award for her devotion to the Children's Library in 2008. WLOX called her a “Home Town Hero” for all her work after Katrina. Awards and recognition, though nice, did not motivate Mrs. Sally. She would take each as an opportunity to thank the people around her and minimize her own importance. For eighty-six years, Sally would weather storms with a smile - she will be missed. 

 Sally is survived by her loving husband, Thomas Wayne James Sr; her three children, Kathryn Elizabeth James, Sally Anne James, and Thomas Wayne (Amy) James Jr; her grandchildren, Cameron Hayden James and Moira Elizabeth James; her great-granddaughter, Blair Elizabeth James; her eight brothers and sisters, Floyd “Butch” (Patsy) Bishop, Harry Bishop, Betty Joe C. Bishop, Pat (Sandra) Bishop, Mickey Bishop, Sue Burnett, Tim (Debbie) Bishop, Tom (Pam) Bishop, and Jeanne (Chipper) McDermott.

 She is preceded into death by her parents, Floyd E. Bishop Sr. and Kathrine "Tatty" Farrell Bishop; two daughters, Mary Elizabeth and Mary Beth James; and a her brother, Robert C. Bishop.

 Sally was involved in many organizations around the community including Holy Family Parish, Holy Family Altar Society, Friends of the Pass Christian Library, St. Paul's Carnival Association, and Pass Christian Historical Society. 

 Memorial Contributions should be sent to Holy Family Parish or Friends of Pass Christian Library.

 Visitation will be on Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 10 - 11 am at Holy Family Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 am in the church.

 The Riemann Family Funeral Home, Long Beach, is serving the family