The Voice of Blythewood & Fairfield County

Mary Lanier Lomas Bishop

Mary Lanier (ML) Lomas Bishop, 88, of Blythewood died on Monday, May 20, 2024. Born in Columbia, SC, on October 29, 1935, she was the daughter of Paul Lanier Lomas, Sr., and Mary Etta Bass Lomas. Mrs. Bishop was a graduate of Eau Claire High School and attended the University of South Carolina. She worked for Columbia Supply, Southern Bell, Bellsouth and AT&T. She also worked for J&B Realty and Construction Company, Inc., the company she co-owned with her husband, and Coldwell Broker Residential Sales, Blythewood Office.

Mrs. Bishop was a Charter Member of Fairlawn United Methodist Church. She was a current member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Blythewood, where she previously served on the Committee for Blythefest (Finance) and a previous member of SPRC. Mrs. Bishop was a current member of Telcom Pioneers and the Windermere Women’s Association. She was a previous member of the Columbia Association of Realtors, the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the Central Carolina Real Estate Association and the Blythewood Chamber of Commerce.

She was beloved, by her daughters, and she taught them how to be the best mother to their children. She loved unconditionally. She fully supported her grandboys in everything they did. She loved flowers and gardening. They made her smile. Her favorite vacation spots were anywhere with water – particularly Lake Murray and Fripp Island, SC. If you were ever lucky enough to have tasted her macaroni and cheese, lemon meringue pie and coconut cake then you would know how much love she put into her favorite dishes.

Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Command Sergeant Major James B. (JB) Bishop; daughters, Mellanie Bishop Jinnette (Michael) and Stephanie Bishop Cowan (David); grandsons, Matthew James (Ashlee) Jinnette, Joshua David Cowan and Zachary Cameron Cowan. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Bishop was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters-in-law, William Lanier (Virginia) Lomas and Paul Harmon (Barbara) Lomas.

The funeral service for Mrs. Bishop will be held at 11 o’clock, Tuesday, May 28th, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Blythewood with Rev. Scott Smoak officiating. Burial in Fort Jackson National Cemetery will be private. The family will receive friends on Monday, May 27th, from 5 until 7 o’clock at the church. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

Honorary pallbearers will be Matthew James Jinnette, Joshua David Cowan and Zachary Cameron Cowan.

The family would like to give our sincere thank you to SC Oncology Associates (SCOA) for the incredible care they gave to our momma during her illness. Special thanks also goes to Heart of Hospice and specifically the angels on earth Keisha and Shneek who cared for her in her final days. We will be eternally grateful to these two wonderful organizations.

Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, Blythewood, SC. ​

Memories and condolences may be shared at ShivesFuneralHome.com.