Margaret Bishop

That seems so final, so impossible and inadequate to describe a life lived. It's really stranger than that. A grave marker shows a birth date and the date one dies... Only there's this little hyphen mark...you know, the little line between birth and death dates and that little hyphen represents "the life" where all the living was done in Margaret's life. I am Michael, Margaret's nephew and I've never written an obituary before...but I will try. It may have been a somewhat cool and partly cloudy day in Gadsden, AL on April 1, 1923. The Old Farmer's Almanac from that year is long gone...but I looked up some old weather statistics to confirm this. It was a "Grand" and "Very Special" day indeed for Bela M. Hughes Cheatwood (deceased) and her husband, Marion C. Cheatwood Sr. (deceased). Their daughter, Margaret Elizabeth Cheatwood was born and forever impacted the world we live in. Margaret would have and love an older brother, Marion C. Cheatwood Jr. (deceased) and later have and love a younger sister, Sara Josephine Cheatwood (Sara Jo Harris) currently living in Huntsville, AL. Margaret met, fell in love and married Ralph Kelly Bishop (deceased). They got married in 1940. Margaret was only 17. Their marriage lasted 63 years. What a beautiful relationship. Friends and family tell me I am a lot like my Aunt Margaret. Margaret often ran late for events, gatherings, family dinners etc. I also have time management issues. I ran late getting this unique obituary written and posted on line and I apologize. In 1972, Margaret was The Worthy Grand Matron for State of SC Eastern Star. She loved all things "Eastern Star". The meetings. The gowns. Above all... her "sisters" who were so loved by Margaret. She was a member of United Baptist Church (formerly Hayne Baptist Church) and retired from George Johnson Insurance. My sister (Annette), brother (Jerry) and I are blessed to have known and loved our Aunt Margaret. Hundreds of people know and call Margaret...Aunt Margaret by the way. Every time I see a butterfly, I will think of her and smile. She loved cats and dogs...all creatures really. Margaret passed away on Wednesday May 13, 2020. After a brief illness as they say. It was a beautiful and sunny day here in Spartanburg, SC. What a long life she was blessed with. 97 years. Her life and her love touched so many. She will continue to be missed and loved by so many. I think Margaret deserved a parade and large gathering of friends and family for her funeral. A special evening of visitation and food, a processional to her church the next afternoon. A two hour time of stories, preaching and great hymns. Then on to the cemetery for more stories, more love shared between family and friends. She would have loved that. She will be laid to rest on Saturday, May 16, 2020 in a private graveside service as is necessary in these special times we live in. A celebration of life gathering will happen in the near future. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Spartanburg Humane Society, 150 Dexter Road, Spartanburg, SC 29303. I am overcome with sadness and joy. Tears and smiles. I pray that the hyphen between the birth and decease dates on all of our grave markers will represent as much faith, hope and love as it does for Margaret. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Margaret C. Bishop please visit our Sympathy Store.