In 1946 Dr. Frances McIntyre Bishop was born in Macon County to Ray McIntyre and Sadie Franks McIntyre. She is preceded in death by her brother, Leo McIntyre (2000); her nephew, Tommy McIntyre (2007); and her life-long friend, Annette Raby Stanfield (2008).

She was a member of Watauga Baptist Church from the age of 15, holding numerous positions of leadership and service within the church. She was known to teach Sunday School, serve as Training Union Director and write the annual Christmas play for more than 50 years. Her Christmas plays were a ministry in themselves, bringing together people from the church and the community to participate and to enjoy the finished product, for which she always gave Jesus the credit. In the later years of her service as Training Union Director she was responsible for discipling young men in the church, giving them the courage to take a leadership role from their early teen years.

Aside from the church, another passion of her life was education. Attending Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC and the University of South Carolina at Columbia, among others; she earned numerous degrees from many schools and 12 certifications in the education field. Her teaching career began with 5 years of teaching business classes and gifted classes at Rabun County High School in Georgia. She then continued her career for 31 years with Macon County Schools. In that time, she taught remedial reading (10 yrs), fourth grade (10 yrs), Health and PE (6 yrs) and served in elementary administration (5 yrs). She took a personal interest in her students and stayed in touch with many of them. They were hers. Once she retired from Macon County Schools, she continued to work with Western Carolina University in supervision of teaching interns and new teachers.

Dr. Bishop worked for 10 years with the United States Postal Services where she made close ties. She enjoyed work on her farm, from putting up hay to bottle feeding new calves. When a dog or cat without a home found her, she gave them a home on her farm as if she had chosen them. She accomplished much in a life well lived.

She is survived by her husband of almost 50 years, Larry David Bishop; two sisters, Wanda Baker (Norman), and Katie Shope (Bobby); cousin, Sandra McCoy (Mike) and close friend, Betty Rowland (Henry) all of Franklin.

The Funeral Services will be held at 11am, Thursday March 21st, at the Watauga Baptist Church. Rev. Wesley Price, Rev. Roy Lowe, Rev. Mark Bishop, and Rev. Guy Duvall will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Wednesday, March 20th at Macon Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Jackson Roper, Damon Johnson, George C. Roper, Jeremy Brendle, Stewart Beach, Tyler Hughes, Christopher Hedden and Drew Simpson.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Dickie and Joyce Gibson, Zeb and Ann Mehaffey, Alvin, Sue, Doug, Dennis and Kirk Johnson, Adam Tallent and Brian Crupe, Randy McCoy, Tim Cochran and Jackie Downs, Ray Sanders and Mitchell Bishop, Jim Tipton, Derick and Colby Hurst, Tommy and Jan Curtis, Max and Glenda Gladwell, Jim and Sue Hedden, George, Pam and Callie Roper, Clara Lowe, Walter and Terri Hunter, Ernie and Diane Brendle, Heather and Chet Stanley, Charlie Leatherman, Dr. Dan Grube and Dr. Catherine Carter, Dr. Brad Smith, Danny Lenau and Walt Lovett, Dr Lee Nichols and Dr. Stephen Arbitter.

Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the FHS Athletic Booster Club, 100 Panther Drive, Franklin, NC 28734.

Condolences can be made to the family at www.maconfuneralhome.com