Rachel Parsons Flynn Bishop, 96, passed away July 29, 2013, in Richmond, VA. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Dick, as well as her daughter, Susan, and her son, Dennis. She also was predeceased by her three sisters, three brothers, and her mother and father, Viola and Benjamin Parsons. Rachel is survived by her daughter-in-law Diane Flynn, her daughter Roberta “Bobbie” Falk (Ken), her stepdaughter Carol Bishop; her son Thomas Flynn(Patricia), many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter.
Rachel was born in Big Lick,VA, on March 15, 1917. She initially lived in VA and then in Bayville, with her first husband, James A. Flynn. She remained in Bayville following her subsequent marriage to Richard Bishop, prior to his retirement and their move to Smith Mountain Lake- in Rachel’s beloved VIrginia. It was here that Rachel began her life as a ‘historian,’ tracing the early heritage of her family. Her work in geneology led to the publishing of the following books: Farmer and Field Families of Virginia (1983), Parsons from Natural Bridge, Virginia (1987), Leftwich History Collectibles (1993), and Green Stone (1996). She was the first recipient of the Lillian Leftwich Piland History Award for her “outstanding service in the area of family history research.” Interment with her husband, Richard F. Bishop, took place last week. Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Leftwich Historical Association,www.leftwich.org.
