ESTELLE HARVEY RAWLS BISHOPP's Obituary
Estelle Harvey Rawls Bishopp, our Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, could have done anything in her life but she chose to spent it providing us with warmth, affection and generosity when we needed it the most, making it possible for all of us to thrive.
Estelle was a gorgeous Southern girl with Alabama and North Carolina roots. At the age of 10, Estelle and her family relocated to Kensington, MD after her father lost his business in Winston-Salem in the Depression. Estelle remained close with her cousins in North Carolina, especially Eben. She was also very close with her brother, Buddy. At University of Maryland she was an AO Pi and an excellent bridge player. In addition, she met our father, Fred. Kitty, one of her sorority sisters, set them up; Estelle was more interested in the bridge game but when she came down the stairs and saw her handsome blind date she thought “Kitty, I owe you.” Thus began a marriage that endured almost 60 years until our father’s death in 2001, through the horrors of World War II (Dad was a Marine at Guadalcanal); the growth of our family to four children: Fred, Carolyn, Dan, Ginny; Dad’s battle with polio then their transition to civilian life. Through it all, she put her personal desires on the backburner. Yes, she had a brain. When we came home from school, she would often be found reading some intellectual book. But as far as we saw, the extended family was her top priority. She was always there for us and will be greatly missed.
She is preceded in death by her husband Fred, her children Dan Bishopp, his wife Debbie and Ginny Rowen, her siblings and their partners Iris and Charley Lake, Buddy and Carmen Rawls and all her cousins and friends. Hopefully they are waiting for her somewhere so the reunion can begin.
Estelle is survived by her children and their partners: Fred Bishopp and Peggy King, Carolyn Bishopp Smith and Russ Pouncey, Richard Rowen; eight grandchildren and their partners: Cameron and Bill Davis, Chris Bishopp, Page and Bryan Lybarger, Jessi Bishopp and Chris Magee, Sara and Sean Smith, Allison and Lorenzo Chianese, Scott and Crystal Bishopp and Lauren and Eric Pool; and her seven great grandchildren: James Bishopp, Jack and Raleigh Lybarger, Stella and Cary Smith, Sofia and Marina Chianese.
In lieu of flowers, donations to be made to Loudoun Hunger Relief.
https://www.loudounhunger.org (703) 777-5911
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