David Ray Bishop

David 'Ray' Bishop, 60, of 373 North Turkey Creek Road, Leicester,
died Monday, Dec. 21, 1998 at the Mountain Area Hospice Solace Center
after a courageous battle against cancer.  He was a devoted husband,
father and grandfather.  He was the son of the late Rev. Sidney Bishop
and Annie Owenby Bishop.

A native and lifetime resident of Buncombe County, he attended Lee
Edwards High School and was an Army veteran, having served in Korea.
He was employed with Firestone Stores for 16 years and was presently
co-owner of Jack's Royal Tire Store in Waynesville.  He was a member of
Beulah Baptist Church, dedicated to his church and had served as a
deacon for 30 years.

Surviving are his wife of 37 years, Marlene Smith Bishop of the home;
daughter and son-in-law, Tricia and William Redden; grandsons, Patrick
and Preston Redden all of Leicester; a sister, Cayla Gregory of Asheville; a
brother, Jerry Bishop of Brevard and a host of other friends and relatives.
Services will be at 11 am Thursday at Beulah Baptist Church conducted
by the Revs. Bobby Smith, Ricky Wolfe, Charles Phillips and Joe Sellars.
Burial will be in the church cemetery with military graveside rites
conducted by the Buncombe County Veterans Council Volunteer Memorial
Team.
  
Pallbearers will be Danny Stevens, Matthew Smith, Clyde Redden, Greg
Jones, Ronnie Smith, Johnny Sparks and Randy Dowdle.  Honorary
pallbearers will be Deacons and Trustees of Beulah Baptist Church, Bud
Nelson, Brian Smith, Jim Davis, Revs. Ebb Jenkins, Dan Stephenson,
Claude Surrett and Bill Gillespie.

The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 pm Wednesday at Groce
Funeral Home on Patton Avenue and at other times the family will be at
Joe and Sarah Ann Stevens, 384 North Turkey Creek Road.

Memorials may be made to Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 373
North Turkey Creek Road, Leicester, NC 28748 or to Mountain Area
Hospice, P.O. Box 16, Asheville, NC 28802.