Lula Belle "Lou" Bishop

Lula Belle “Lou” Bishop, 87, of Canadian, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, April 7, 2023.

Services will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at First Baptist Church of Canadian with Pastor Matt Phenix, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian.

Lula Belle was born February 5, 1936 in Watonga, Oklahoma to Richard and Lorene Hinsley. At the age of 16, she married the love of her life, James Bishop. They married on May 31, 1952 in Lubbock. Soon after they married, James enlisted in the Army. They lived several years in Lubbock, once he was discharged from the Army, before moving to several cities in the panhandle. They made their home in Canadian in 1973. Lula Belle worked at Edward Abraham Memorial Home for many years before retiring in 2015. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Canadian. Lula Belle could never sit still she was always moving around to stay busy. She would help wash dishes at the Sugar Shack when she could. Lula Belle had a personality that connected to people, she could visit with just about anyone. She never met a stranger. Lula Belle was a lovely wife, mother, grandmother, and sister to her family, but she was also known as “Granny Lou” and “Mama Lou” to many around Canadian. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; two daughters, Patricia Kay Andrews and Judy Lynn Bishop; two grandsons, Taylon Stafford and Heath Bishop; five sisters; and four brothers.

Survivors include her husband of 72 years, James Bishop of the home; daughter, Jamie Jernigan and husband Mikey of Canadian; three sons, Mike Bishop of Amarillo, Donald Keith Bishop and life partner Greg Hunter of Dallas, and Glenn Bishop of Amarillo; two sisters, Laverne Hiser of Lubbock and Vesta Lee Pitts of Summerville; three brothers, Donnie Hinsley and wife Kay of Comanche, OK, Tommy Hinsley and wife Barbara of Flower Mound, and Raymond Hinsley and wife Pat of Dallas; eight grandchildren, Wyatt Bishop, Wesley Bishop, Casey Spruell and husband Jeff, Trisha Booth, Amy Cook, Heather Powers, Calvin Zachary and wife Nikki, and Dusty Zachary; 19 great grandchildren; 6 great great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.