Cover photo for Deda Faye Bishop's Obituary
Deda Faye Bishop Profile Photo
1926 Deda 2017

Deda Faye Bishop

March 10, 1926 — August 15, 2017

Deda Faye Essary Bishop was born on March 10, 1926 to James Dexter and Millie Dee Essary. Faye, known to most as Nanny and occasionally as Aunt Faye, Mrs. Faye, and Mom, was one of twelve of the Essary children. She was born in the Cash Schoolhouse community outside of Enville and was raised as a hard worker and a follower of the Lord.

She married James L. Bishop of Enville on April 14, 1956 and together they made a beautiful life, full of love and laughter. Their two children, Debbie and Tim, grew up in a household that taught the love of the Lord, taking care of your neighbors, and working diligently each day. She worked hard at Slant and Slant, among other places, for years and years, teaching a legacy of dedication and perserverance. She never missed a Sunday at Milledgeville United Methodist Church while she was able. In time, Debbie married Jimmy Smith and Tim married Lisa Austin. Then, the grands came along.

The joy of her life was her three grandchildren and their children. Nanny encouraged an education that she was never able to have; and each of the three grandchildren believed in themselves because of her persistence. Stacie, Clint, and Brittany all have completed, or, in Brittany's case, almost completed, their doctorates in pharmacy. Nothing made Nanny prouder than showing pictures of her grandchildren in their white coats and knowing that each were to be called doctor. The legacy of the love of the Lord and the education that each of her grandkids accomplished can be directly attributed to their Nanny's love. As she was able, she showed up proudly to each graduation--high school, college, pharmacy school. No one was prouder.

Each grandchild married in their time and Nanny gained more grandchildren in Todd (Stacie), Hannah (Clint), and Paul (Brittany). And then--THEN--came the great-grands. Oh, how Nanny adored her great grandchildren! Wade (almost 6), Mason (3), and baby Peyton (almost 3 months) were the adoration of her heart. The way her eyes would light up when they were with her showered love upon them.

While Nanny's heart was given to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, her talents impressed the whole community! She made the best fried pies in three counties, planted flowers that would grow more beautiful than magazine covers, and sewed anything that she put her mind to. She enjoyed bluegrass and never turned down a "shindig," traveling with James L. to singings and to grandkid's ballgames. She had a garden that would put professional gardeners to shame, and could often be found on the old 3-wheeler carting around vegetables with her trusty dog, Jasper, trotting along and the grandkids learning along the way.

Nanny will be missed more than our hearts can say. She was an encourager, a hugger, and a friendly face to one and all. Her generosity and kindness, her humor and her good-natured laugh will never be replaced. But Nanny is dancing with her Savior in glory! She passed from this life on August 15, 2017. She left behind a slew of relatives--two children, Debbie (Jimmy) Smith of Milledgeville, Tennessee and Tim (Lisa) Bishop of Enville, Tennessee; three grandchildren, Dr. Stacie (Dr. Todd) Sullivan of Mendenhall, Mississippi, Dr. Clint (Hannah) Smith of Adamsville, Tennessee, and (almost Dr.) Brittany (Paul) Wyatt of Jackson, Tennessee; three great grandchildren, Wade Sullivan, Mason Sullivan, and Peyton Smith; as well as a host of nieces and nephews. She leaves behind sisters Lois Gene Smith of Reagan, Tennessee, Margie Essary of Memphis, Tennessee, and Judy Knauff of Memphis, Tennessee, and brothers, Doc Essary of Luray, Tennessee and Webb Essary of Savannah, Tennessee.

Well done, good and faithful servant.
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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, August 17, 2017

4:30 - 9:00 pm (Eastern time)

Milledgeville United Methodist Church

57 Main Street, Milledgeville, TN 38359

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Visitation

Friday, August 18, 2017

9:00 - 11:00 am (Eastern time)

Milledgeville United Methodist Church

57 Main Street, Milledgeville, TN 38359

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Service

Friday, August 18, 2017

Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)

Milledgeville United Methodist Church

57 Main Street, Milledgeville, TN 38359

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Cemetery

Mt. Zion Cemetery - Enville, TN

Hardin's Graveyard Road, Enville, TN

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Guestbook

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