Joann (Jo) Janette Bishop, 86, passed away peacefully with her family and loved ones by her side February 27, 2024. Jo was born August 19, 1937, to Nadyne Edwards in Ava, MO. Jo and Mike had several businesses throughout the community. She later started to work at Mercy Hospital which she thoroughly enjoyed. After retirement and Big Mike’s death, she took advantage of as many traveling experiences as she could, with family and the golden girls. She loved antiquing, garage sales, and spending time with those that meant the most to her. She had a huge heart and was never heard sharing a concern or complaint.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Michael (Big Mike) Bishop; her mother Nadyne Edwards; brother, Leon Evan Edwards; step-daughter, Amy Bishop Miller; and son-in-law, James Bivens. She is survived by her children, Randall Hart, Michael (Amy) Hart, Sonja Bivens, Lisa (Buck) Mitchem; and step-sons, Gary Bishop and Willie Bishop. She is also survived by her sister, Anita Shirkey; nephew, Jeremy (Melody); and sister-in-law, Charla Edwards. Grandchildren left behind include Troy (Sam) Hart, Shawn Hart, Jonathon Lowery, Brianna (Danny) Conway, Randi Bivens, Candas Bailey, Rylie (Jared) Mathes, Shiloh Mitchem, and Forest Mitchem. Great-grandchildren, Rayne Hart, Paul Conway, Layne Arivett, RaeLynn Moore, and Tinley Weatherly. In addition, she was loved by numerous friends throughout the Dogwood and Ava communities, Springfield community, the ‘golden’ girls (Anita, Virgie and Mary Jo), morning breakfast clubs, and Cowboy Church family, just to name a few.  A neighbor that has gone above and beyond, Dorothy, was a tremendous source of strength for Jo throughout the years, in health and in illness, as well as to her family throughout this journey.

Jo’s visitation will be at Greenlawn North Funeral Home on Saturday March 2, 2024, from 1:00-3:00 pm with her interment ceremony to immediately follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. The family welcomes you to join in a celebration of the many great things Jo has done in her life and share memories of the woman we have all come to know and love.

The family would like to thank the hospital staff at Mercy, who took great care of Jo in her final days. We especially thank the ICU team for their patience, understanding, and support in this journey as well as Sister Elizabeth, who Jo knew and worked with, in your comforting words and support in her final hours.