Minister Fannie Mae (Griffin) Bishop

It is with heartfelt sympathy that we announce the earthly transition of Minister Fannie Mae Griffin Bishop of Ashland, who went from labor to reward on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at the age of 71. Please keep her family and our staff in your prayers.

Fannie was born on January 10, 1954 to the late Robert Lee and Inez (Tatum) Griffinin in Clay County, Alabama. 

She attended Clay County Training School and received her GED. After high school she worked in many different roles to include a CNA and Shop Stewardess. At Tyson Foods she was appointed as the Vice President of the workers’ Union, kickstarting a 20+ year career. She continued to work even after retirement from Tyson, becoming a member of the Dadeville City School System as a food service professional.  

Fannie met Elder John Edward Bishop and quickly fell in love. They wasted no time and were wed on July 28, 1973. Their union was blessed with three beautiful girls, Pamela, Rochelle and Amanda “Mandy”. 

Fannie received Christ at a young age. She was a member of the United Methodist organization where she served as First Lady to her late husband. Under the direction of the Holy Spirit, Minister Bishop and her husband joined New Covenant Ministries of the World Inc. under the leadership of her Pastor Chief Apostle W.T (Mother Ola P) Traylor in June of 1979. Fannie was called by God as a Minister of the Gospel in the late 1980s. She was appointed and proudly served as the Evangelist for the Alexander City District (New Covenant Ministries). She loved teaching and preaching the Word of God. When she wasn’t praising His name, you could find her frying those famous fried pies and watching Hallmark Christmas movies no matter the season. Minister Bishop was also very competitive! She enjoyed bowling, family game nights, arts and crafts, curating beautiful flower arrangements, writing and cooking. Fannie was also very stylish and rarely wore the same hat twice.   

Mother Fannie joined the staff of Adams-Buggs Funeral Service in 2019 after the passing of her husband. She enjoyed assisting Jared, whom she affectionately called her son, Ms. Nancy and Rev. Chuck care for the facilities and minister to the bereaved. She took great joy in showing love and sharing the gospel in any way she was able.

Minister Fannie Mae Bishop, AKA “Mama Fannie”, of Ashland Alabama, passed away on November 20, 2025 after a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer.

Fannie was preceded in death by her husband, Elder John Bishop; her parents, Robert Lee and Inez Griffin; her brothers, Bobby Griffin and Robert "Steve" Griffin; and her sister, Nellie Jane Lindsey; son-in-law, Devoy Thomas; sister-in-law, Corrine Griffin.

She is survived by her daughters, Pamela Thomas of Leeds, AL, Rochelle Coulter (Chester “Chuck”) of Conyers, GA, and Amanda Bishop (Rachael) of Mobile, AL; her grandchildren Johntarious (Porsha), James “Michael", Devyn, Alexis, Christian, and Zari; her great-grandchildren Benjamin, Jakobe, Bella, Taylor, and Ava; brothers, Walter “Jack” Griffin of Ashland, AL, and Willie Preston Griffin of Ashland, AL; she is also survived by her special daughter, Chermaine Hicks (Kevin); her special granddaughter, Monique Powers; her loving sisters-in-law Kathy Wood (Kevin) and Carolyn Bannerman (Evan); and her loving brother-in-law Larry Bishop (Ida); she is further survived by her spiritual children, David Butler and the entire Powers Family, as well as a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends too numerous to name.

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