Carolyn Crooks Bishop, 89, of Pomaria, died Monday, July 17, 2023, at her residence.

Born April 12, 1934, in Pomaria, she was a daughter of the late Thomas Lyles Crooks, Sr. and Annie Laurie Harmon Crooks.

Carolyn received her bachelor's degree in Public School Music from Winthrop University. She taught music at SC schools in Lancaster and West Columbia. Carolyn then committed her life and purpose to God's work. She, along with her husband, Henri, became missionaries to Malaysia and Singapore for 13 years. Being fluent in Cantonese, they shared their love of Jesus through music and fellowship, opening a daycare that expanded into a community center, a school and a church. In 1977, they were given the opportunity to travel to China on the first cruise ship allowed to visit since 1949. Carolyn loved music, whether it was playing the piano or organ or singing. She led both international and local children's and adult choirs and accompanied dance performances and theater groups. She also found joy in her flower and vegetable gardens and blessed her family and friends with creative, delicious meals. She had endless talents and gifts that she lovingly shared at home and around the world.

She was a member of Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church in Chapin, SC.

Carolyn is deeply missed by her husband of 66 years, Henri Bishop; her children, Laurie Ann Bishop of San Francisco, CA, Jerome Stephen Bishop (and his wife Beverly) of Dripping Springs, TX, Mary Katherine Gates (and her husband Richard) of Pomaria, and Melanie Bishop Nanney (and her husband Wayne) of Columbia; her grandchildren, Ava Dvorak, Dr. Ryan Bishop (and his wife Kristina), Rachel Coster (and her husband Jonathan), Dr. Travis Bishop (and his wife Dr. Colleen Bishop), Henri Gates (and his fiancée Cassie), Anna Maria Crowson (and her husband Josh), Caroline Gates; and her great-grandchildren, Natalie Crowson, Lucy Bishop, and Levi Coster.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Thomas Lyles Crooks, Jr.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church, 101 E. Boundary Street, Chapin, SC 29036. The family will receive friends following the service.

Honorary pallbearers are the Miriam Circle/WELCA of Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church.

The family would like to thank those who assisted with her care over the past several years, especially Tessie Mendenhall, Ebbie King, Ida Chapman, Sylvia Brown and Joyce Gallman, as well as Heart of Hospice.

The family requests memorials be made to Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church, 101 E. Boundary Street, Chapin, SC 29036 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family here on her tribute page.

Whitaker Funeral Home is honored to serve the Bishop family.