Ms. Barbara Ana Bishop, 78 years old, a beloved mother, grandmother, and lifelong educator, went to sleep in the Lord on March 17, 2025.

She was the fifth and last child born to Leonard Bishop and Florence Wynter Bishop on September 19, 1946 in the Republic of Panama. As a child she excelled in academics and various sports, her favorite being volleyball. She was a whopping 88lbs and barely over 5 feet tall as a senior in high school but she didn't let her size stop or hinder her reputation as a fearless powerhouse, a mighty mouse. Although she entered school late at 7 years old, she graduated at 19 years old with a Bachelor's of Science in Education. Soon after graduating she was hired by Director Elma Payne in 1965 as a private kindergarten educator at Escuela San Cristobal in Panama City, Panama, a school pioneering in cultural diversity and academic excellence. There she taught for 20 years and became known as Maestra Barbara, beloved by students, parents, and staff. While there, due to her impeccable language skills in both English and Spanish, she was hired to work part-time by the Panama Canal Zone to educate the soldiers and staff on proper Spanish and English. During that time a major shift in her life occurred when she became a mother to her only child, Marthe Altea Bishop in 1977. Although single motherhood was challenging at times, she forged on with the love and support of her siblings, extended family, and her now good friend and supporter, Director Elma. She was able to continue her education and received her Master's in Early Childhood Education.

In 1985, after much thought and prayer, she made the bold and fateful decision to immigrate to the United States and begin a new life. New York City was a massive cultural shift for both her and her daughter, but she persevered through all the challenges this new life brought her. Although she wasn't able to formally continue her career in education she used her skills to excel in the various positions she worked in during her time there. From there she moved to Long Branch, New Jersey for the slower pace and a safer place for her daughter to continue her schooling. Eventually, once her daughter's schooling was done, they moved to Central Florida. There she became a very active member of Aloma Church and used her skills to minister as a Sunday School teacher. Once her daughter married, became a mother herself, and moved to Deltona, Florida, Ms. Barbara followed suit and joined a local church, Deltona Alliance Church, which would eventually become her second home and family. There again, she became heavily active in many ministries the church had to offer, from volunteer services at a local pregnancy crisis center, to helping to feed the less fortunate. She split her time between many church activities, her Bible study group, friends, and her adoration for her now five grandchildren.

Throughout she was known to be an avid reader, high energy, life of the party, extremely creative, and organized. She was also artistic, a seamstress, an animal lover, an avid container gardener, and a fashionista. She was always dressed well, even for casual events, and almost always wearing a hat. At DAC her faith continued to grow tremendously, was known as a prayer warrior, beloved by many. Daily she began the day reading her Bible and devotionals and always had a gospel song in her playing on her phone or humming one on her mind. She had hoped to travel at the end of this year back to her homeland and see her siblings, nieces, and nephews whom she missed so dearly.

Ms. Barbara Ana Bishop leaves behind a legacy of kindness, strength, perseverance, and most of all faith. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. There are no words to explain how heavy her loss is to those who loved her.

Ms. Barbara Ana is survived by her daughter, Marthe Bishop-McDonald; son-in-law, Linton McDonald Jr.; grandchildren, Jehovanka, Jovanna, Jarion, Jenisia, and Jolena McDonald; eldest sister, Jeanette Bishop; brothers, Leonardo Bishop and Julian Bishop; and countless nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, Leonard and Florence Bishop; and her brother, Ray Bishop.