Carol Jean Bishop of Akron, Colorado, passed away peacefully at the Washington County Nursing Home on December 1, 2020, at the age of 92.

On December 22, 1927, Carol Jean was born in Cabool, Missouri, to Oscar and Bessie Brown. Carol Jean, the only daughter and middle child, had an older brother, James Oscar "Junior," and a younger brother, Lavern. As a child, Carol Jean attended country school in a house a few miles from her family's farm outside of Akron, riding there on horseback with her older brother.

During junior high, Carol Jean moved into town and lived with her maternal grandmother, Grandma Marrs. In 1945, Carol Jean graduated from Akron High School. After which, she worked several odd jobs, like doing dish cleanup for local ladies after dinners and as a secretary for an attorney.

At the age of 18, Carol Jean attended a Saturday night dance in Akron where she met Eugene (Gene) L. Bishop, a young sailor who recently returned from serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. The couple quickly fell in love and married on December 22, 1946, Carol Jean's 19th birthday. Their happy union lasted a lifetime. They had two beautiful children, Carol Ann, born April 24, 1948, and Sandra Kaye, born June 2, 1952.

In the mid-1960s, Carol Jean went to work for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service office. She was also participated in the Lions Club as a Lady Lion. The couple attended many Saturday night dances at the Veterans' Club, high school football games, and other community events. After retirement, the Bishops enjoyed traveling to places like Las Vegas and Missouri to visit Gene's sisters, Helen and Mary.

Carol Jean was a loving mother and devoted grandmother, spending endless hours making family gatherings special by preparing delicious meals, playing cards and board games, and making her famous homemade ice cream. Carol Jean is deeply missed by her friends and family. However, they take solace in knowing that her suffering has ended and she is now reunited with her true love.

Carol Jean was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gene Bishop; parents, Oscar and Bessie Brown; brother, James Oscar "Junior" Brown; and sister-in-law, Jane Brown.

Carol Jean is survived by daughters, Carol Kimmel (Robert) and Sandra Fleming (Steve); grandchildren, Kevin Hillyer, Karen Sweet (Kevin), Troy Fuller (Judy), Michael Kimmel (Lorie), Carlene Coyle (Christopher), Matthew Fleming (Star), and Joshua Fleming (Koren); great-grandchildren Kristen Sweet-McFarling (Bobby), Kelsey Sweet (Mark Guttropf), Brittany Kimmel, Michael Kimmel, Matthew Kimmel, Connor Simon, Kyrah Vandiver, Anton Fleming, Sebastian Fleming, Mary Kimmel, Justin Fuller and Megan Kimmel; great-great-granddaughter, Evelyn Guttropf; brother, Lavern Brown; along with many nieces, nephews, and life long friends.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at the Akron Cemetery Gazebo.  Inurnment will follow at the Akron Cemetery.  Memorial donations may be made to Meals on Wheels, or to the Town of Akron Parks Department.