Bernetta Mae Bishop was born September 26, 1930 in Neodesha, Kansas to Curtis Lester and Bernice Moletta Vantrease. She died Wednesday, September 3, 2025 in Owasso, Oklahoma at the age of 94, on what would have been her late husband‘s 95th birthday. Bernetta grew up in Neodesha, Kansas and graduated from Neodesha High School. While working at the First Bank of Independence after graduation, Bernetta met the love of her life, Leon Allen Bishop. The two were married on May 1, 1949 in Independence, Kansas and, together, began a marriage built on love, faith and devotion to family.
After her time working at the bank, Bernetta dedicated herself to being a homemaker, pouring her heart into caring for Leon and their four children. In 1980, Bernetta and Leon made Owasso, Oklahoma their home, where they lived for the rest of their lives. Bernetta was a woman of strong faith and a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Owasso. She enjoyed many pastimes, especially cooking and sewing, and she lovingly made clothes, pillows and quilts for her children and her grandchildren. She took great pride in always having lunch ready on Sunday for any family who came by and always having homemade cookies in the cookie jar. Above all, she dearly loved her family and cherished her role as “Grandma”.
Bernetta leaves behind three children who will always carry her memory in their hearts: Linda Wheeler of Sperry, Oklahoma; Jimmy Bishop and his wife Judy of Sperry, Oklahoma; and Janice Mader of Owasso, Oklahoma. She was blessed with a large and loving family, including 15 grandchildren, Sharon, Randy, Michele, Jennifer, Racheal, Anita, Ginger, Tina, Jake, Jerrold, Charlie, Jamie, Callie, Junior, and P.J., 35 great grandchildren and 44 great-great grandchildren, each of whom she loved dearly. She is survived by her sisters Betty Jean Horzich, Patty Lever, and Gayle Goode, as well as her brother Glen Vantrease and his wife Sandy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Leon, her daughter, Joyce Thurman, and her sister, Winnie Jo Miller
