A celebration of life service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at First Baptist Church for Eunice Mildred Bisbee of Abilene, Texas.
Bisbee, 96, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, in Abilene.
Galen Isaacs will officiate at the services. Interment will precede the services at 1 p.m. Saturday at Woodbine Cemetery.
Eunice was born Sept. 19, 1920, in Clarksville, Texas, to Harvie D. and Julia (McElroy) Austin. The family moved to Oklahoma shortly after Eunice’s birth, and she attended school in Dustin and Weleetka, Okla., graduating from Weleetka High School in 1938.
Eunice helped her father on the farm until World War II began. She then moved to Oklahoma City, Okla., to work at Douglas Aircraft, where she worked first as a machinist before becoming an inspector. She was one of the original “Rosie the Riveters.”
Eunice met Lawrence Bisbee through family members, and the two were married Jan. 17, 1946, in Okemah, Okla., upon his return from World War II. They were married 49 years until his death Nov. 23, 1994.
Eunice lived in Artesia from 1946 until 2015, when she relocated to Abilene to be closer to family.
She worked as a bookkeeper for Baker Tire Service for many years and was an active member of First Baptist Church for 68 years.
Survivors include son Jerry Bisbee and wife Charlotte of Blanchard, Okla.; daughter Linda Peel and husband Mike of Abilene; sisters Oneta Price, Mary Barber and Faye Bisbee; grandchildren Kelli Shockley, Brittany Lewis, Jared Peel, Jerron Bisbee and Tracy Tindell; six great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence; her parents; sisters Lorine and Florine Austin; and brothers Darrell and Raymond Austin.
The family wishes to offer special thanks to the wonderful staff at Covenant Place of Abilene for their wonderful care and love. Thanks also to Hendrick Hospice of Abilene for care in her final days.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 629, Portales, N.M., 88130.
Arrangements are under the direction of Terpening & Son Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed online at www.artesiafunerals.com.
