Mr. Thomas Arthur Bishop

Mr. Thomas Arthur Bishop was born on Dec. 20, 1961, to the late Rev. Daniel L. Bishop Sr. and Mrs. Margaret Bishop-Davis in Tuscaloosa, AL. Thomas accepted Christ at an early age at Mt. Carmel AME Church in Duncanville, AL. He was blessed with the prolific gift of piano, organ, and song and began playing for churches at the young age of 12 years old. Thomas played for Mt. Carmel AME Church and Mt. Galilee Baptist Church in Northport, AL, and was a part of the music ministry at Bethel Baptist Church in Pratt City, AL. Throughout his life he was a part of the music ministry for many churches, with the last being Faith Temple First Pentecostal Church in Lithonia, GA where he was also ordained as a Deacon in January, 2022. Graduating from Holt High School in 1979, Thomas was the Student Council President, Member of the National Honor Society, Member of the National Beta Club, a Major in Jr. ROTC, and represented Sen. Richard Shelby for the Presidential Congressional Council for High School Students in Washington, D.C. He was a member of the Mensa Intelligence Society and was an avid reader with special interest in Greek Mythology and Historical Fiction, and was a stylish dresser even then, known to wear slacks and dress shoes to school. Following his families’ legacy by attending the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa where he obtained a BS degree in Microbiology in 1983. He was initiated into his beloved Eta Chi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. in Fall 1981. During this time, Thomas became a member of Bethel Baptist Church, Pratt City where the choir recorded an album entitled “God Answers Prayer” and he soloed on the song “God Never Fails”. Thomas was a part of the “Bishop Family Singers” started by his father and performed at churches in various counties in AL. It was during college that he also began working at his uncle’s famous original Dreamland Barbeque restaurant in Tuscaloosa. Although he majored in Microbiology, his real love was business which led him to a career in Automobile Sales at Adamson Ford Lincoln-Mercury in Birmingham, Al. There he was quickly promoted from sales to sales manager due to his skilled salesmanship and infectious personality. Thomas never met a stranger and with his quick wit, had the ability to make anyone he met feel like a longtime friend. Mentored by the General Sales Manager, Thomas began to dream about owning his own automobile dealership. The process involved attending the Ford Lincoln-Mercury Minority Dealership program which he completed early due to his vast sales and business experience. Thomas became Ford Lincoln-Mercury’s youngest minority dealership franchise owner in 1988 when at the age of 25, he opened Cornelia Ford Lincoln-Mercury in Cornelia, GA. The dealership received numerous sales and service awards during its tenure and Thomas rekindled his love of travel through the sales bonus programs traveling throughout the United States, Caribbean Islands, and Europe. His final career path was in Mortgage Banking where his keen business sense and analytical mind landed him contract work with many Fortune 500 companies in the residential and commercial mortgage industry. His career concluded in the field with Wells Fargo and SunTrust Banks. Outside of work, Thomas loved playing the keyboard, attending his children’s sporting and special events, and being with family and friends. He kept in close contact with his siblings and young grandson daily by telephone. Thomas met his future wife, Felicia Means Bishop at Adamson Ford Lincoln-Mercury, and while conversing with her as a customer, he introduced her to his coworkers as his wife. They married in 1987 and to their union, they were blessed with Taylor Ann, Jared Thomas, and Chandler Felice. Thomas was a proud father and grandfather and related to his kids and their friends through his hilarious sense of humor. He loved his kids dearly, but his grandchildren took that love to a new level. Thomas was preceded in death by his father Rev. Daniel L. Bishop, Sr., and sister, Ruthie Bishop Truss. He will be remembered forever in the hearts of his mother Mrs. Margaret Bishop Davis, wife, Felicia Means Bishop; daughter, Taylor Ann Bishop; son, Jared Thomas Bishop; daughter, Chandler Felice Bishop; brothers, Clarence Bishop and Rev. Daniel L. Bishop, Jr. (Joyce); sisters Queen Bishop Catchings; Gwendolyn Bishop Hatcher (Ronald); LaHearne Bishop; Erma Bishop; Melinda Bishop, and Violet Bishop Hicks (Michael); grandchildren, Legend and Cori Ann; along with a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other family, and a plethora of friends.

Tributes

Mr. Thomas Arthur Bishop

December 20, 1961 - January 23, 2024