Elinor Emma O'Bryant

Elinor Emma Bishop O’Bryant was born in the small community of Landgraff, in McDowell County, WV on February 8, 1928, the daughter of the late Elmer Alfred and Elizabeth Collins Bishop. After 95 years of a well-lived life and surrounded by family, she transitioned to her heavenly home on the evening of March 16, 2023.

As a small child, Elinor’s family left WV, and moved to Christiansburg, VA where she was raised. She was baptized and confirmed at Asbury UMC and remained a member to the local United Methodist Church at every career move in her life. She attended the former Hill School and Christiansburg Institute, where she graduated in 1944. She attended Bennett College NC, earned an undergraduate degree from Morgan State University Baltimore MD, and earned a MSoc from the University of Southern California.

Elinor enjoyed careers in social work, education, and worked at EEOC where she was an awarded investigator. Elinor possessed a beautiful smile and a winsome, wise personality that gained many loving friends throughout her life. She adored gardening, plants and flowers and was a meticulous organizer. While always a contemplative and critical thinker, she matched it with a bright and fun sense of humor. In retirement she enjoyed volunteering with Meals on Wheels in Savannah before moving to Smyrna, GA to be close to her son, Julian and granddaughters, Michelle, and Monica. There she enjoyed participating in physical fitness programs and volunteering at church and within the Smyrna community. She was an active member of Covenant United Methodist Church in Smyrna until relocating to Acworth, GA. where she attended Acworth United Methodist Church until health challenges prevented her attendance.

Elinor was predeceased by her parents; Rev. Elmer A. Bishop, Sr., and Elizabeth Collins Bishop; her daughter, Janice Elizabeth Phelps Hollins, and brother, Elmer A. Bishop, Jr. Elinor leaves to cherish her memory her son, Julian B. Phelps, grandchildren, Michele H. Coleman and Monica D. Hollins, Julian B. Phelps II, Armon J. Phelps and Jovanda N. Irving; 20 great, and 12 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters; Antoinette B. McNeill, Gladys (Harold) Claytor, Judy (Jason) Diggs, Lynn (Thomas) Melton, and Connie (Thomas) King; brothers, Raymond Bishop, James (Martha) Bishop, Sr., Nathaniel (Sylvia) Bishop, Jack (Debi) Bishop, and more than three dozen nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Asbury United Methodist Church in Christiansburg VA at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2023, followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m.
Memorial suggestion is to Asbury United Methodist Church, Christiansburg.