1947 – 2022
Our beloved Mr. Melvin Lee Bishop, Sr. peacefully retired to blessed eternal rest at a Bibb County medical facility on May 21, 2022.
A joyful Celebration of Life was held to honor his passing on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at Ebenezer Baptist Church of Eatonton, GA. Melvin was laid to rest at Eastside Eatonton Cemetery, and is proceeded in death by his parents and younger brother Arthur L. Bishop.
Born in Eatonton, GA on May 25, 1947, to the parentage of the late Matthew Bishop, Sr. and Pecolia Nichols Bishop, Melvin entered this life with a purpose; as the second-born of three boys, he was determined to succeed and leave his mark on the world.
Melvin was educated in the Putnam County public school system, graduating from Butler-Baker High in 1966, and on March 30, 1965, Melvin married the love of his life: Ms. Annie L. Dennis. The Lord gave them 57 wonderful years together, and blessed their union with two children, Melvin, Jr. and Jennifer. Melvin accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at an early age, joining Jefferson Baptist Church in Eatonton, GA. As an adult, he joined Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he was an active member of the adult Sunday School class, served for over 50 years on the Deacon Board, started the Young Men for Christ (YMC), and founded the Agnes J. Jenkins Scholarship Program. Originally employed
Originally employed by Georgia Power as a laborer in 1967, through hard work and dedication Melvin advanced his career, holding positions such as coal equipment operator, tractor operator, locomotive operator, and finally reaching an executive position as a coal handling supervisor. He retired after 36 years of service. As a child, Melvin had worked on the family farm of Cousin Grady and Jessie Mae Bailey, a time in which he gained extensive knowledge of dairy and livestock farming; continuing in that field, Melvin later founded African American Family Farmers, Inc. He also actively served as national vice chairman of Community to Enhance Resources for Underserved Farmers (CERUF), organized the Georgia Chapter of Black Farmers and Agriculturist Association (BFAA), and was a representative for Council for Agriculture Research, Extension, and Teaching (CARET) of Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, GA.
Melvin was a political advocate for positive change. His passion for justice began when he engaged in the civil rights movement in 1965 at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Later, he joined the NAACP local branch chapter #5229 and even served for several years as president. Melvin further pursued his political career by joining the Democratic Party and Board of Registrars; his highest peak of political experience was qualifying and placing third in the race for chairman of the Board of Commissioners. Melvin was active in his community in service: former board member of Putnam General Hospital Authority; former president of Butler-Baker class of 1966; charter member and former vice president of the Butler-Baker Alumni Project, Inc.; member of Jefferson Sun Lodge #242; Prince Hall Jurisdiction of Georgia; Mason; Past Worshipful Master; Order of the Eastern Star; Superior Chapter #160; Past Worthy Patron; life member of both fraternal orders with over 50 years of service.
In his later years, Melvin gained a new passion for youth enrichment by serving as a substitute teacher in