Obituary Vernon Eugene Bishop, better known as Gene Bishop, passed away on July 26, 2022 at his home following an extended illness. He was born in Sand Rock Alabama, on May 16th, 1933 to the late Herman Luther and Ruby Chestnut Bishop. Gene was five years old when both his parents passed after contracting tuberculosis. Gene would be adopted by his fathers younger sister. This would forever change the path of his life. On June 5, 1954, Gene graduated from Birmingham-Southern Baptist College, Birmingham, Alabama. After which he enlisted in the US Army assigned to a Military Intelligence Corp., Bonn, Germany. After several years with the US Army, he applied and was hired by the US Department of State (USDS), Washington DC, as a Foreign Service Security Officer (FSSO). Gene would go on to have a distinguished 26 year career with USDS being assigned to several high profile overseas US Embassies; Belgrade, Yugoslavia; Copenhagen, Denmark; Sanaa, North Yemen; and New Delhi, India. Gene was later assigned to duties at USDS main building in Washington DC. One of his final assignments of his career would be the first director for the USDS Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC). Gene would retire with the rank of Senior FSSO. During his assignment in India, he and Dottie met and supported Mother Teresa, the founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity. This interaction would have a life changing spiritual impact for them. Shortly after returning to the US, Gene converted to Catholicism. For the remainder of his years, his spiritual belief would grow and become the daily fabric of his being. He was a long time member of the St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Blue Ridge, GA and an active member of the Knights of Columbus; a recipient of the Fourth Degree encouraging active Catholic citizenship and fostering the spirit of patriotism in its members and community. Gene is with the Lord and the family and friends he loved and knew who passed before him and have been waiting to greet him. Surely Gene is having a bourbon and diet coke, laughing, and telling stories and jokes as he always did. Gene is also preceded in death by two wives, Peggy Jane Goodwin Bishop and Dorothy Keith Corn Bishop; one son, Bryan Eugene Bishop and one grandson, Justin Eugene Bishop. Gene is survived by, including grandchildren; his son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Shaun (McAndrew) Bishop, their daughter Carly Bishop; daughter-in-law, Karen Bishop (Bryan Bishop) and their children; daughter Tiffany (Bishop) Bicknell (husband Bryan Bicknell), son Adam Bishop (wife Milica Petkovic Bishop), son Logan Bishop; Justin Bishops widow, Jessica Bishop; great-grandchildren, Emma Bishop, Kaytlyn Bishop (Justin/Jessica), Vienna Bicknell, Ella Bicknell (Tiffany/Bryan), and Nikolai Bishop (Adam/Milica); siblings, Johnny Orr, Connie Thomas, and Carolyn Gray; and a host of great friends and community members. A Funeral Mass was held on Friday, August 5, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. from the St. Anthony's Catholic Church with Father John Conway officiating. Music was provided by Elizabeth Melatti. Interment followed in the Harmony Cemetery with the following gentlemen serving as pallbearers: Christopher Bishop, Adam Bishop, Logan Bishop, Johnny Orr, Russell Cornell, and Antonio Aiello. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony's Catholic Church Building Fund at P.O. Box 1448, Blue Ridge, GA 30513 or to the American Cancer Society online at www.cancer.org. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Blue Ridge, GA of Blue Ridge, GA Visitation Thursday, August 04, 2022 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations - Blue Ridge 7871 Blue Ridge DriveBlue Ridge, Georgia 30513 Directions Funeral Service Friday, August 05, 2022 11:00 AM St. Anthony's Catholic Church 967 East Main St.Blue Ridge, GA 30513 Directions