Lela F. Bishop

Lela F. Bishop of Clifton went home to be with Jesus on August 20, 2025. She was deeply loved and adored and will be missed beyond measure by those that were blessed to be a part of her family. Her final days were spent lovingly surrounded by her husband, family, and loved ones. In her death we lost a loving wife, mother, grandmother and most importantly a godly woman with a giving nature.

Lela was born in Grand Junction to Nolie Steele Covey and Eileen Edith Covey (Atchison) on May 31, 1950. Lela was active in the school and church activities growing up. She met the love of her life, Dru E Bishop, at age sixteen and they married on June 7, 1968. They have loved and supported one another for over 57 years. Together they adopted and raised 7 children, and touched the lives of over 100 foster children. They also ran a successful business, and she worked for the Clifton Sanitation District for 36 years.

Lela’s profound passion for children was evident in every aspect of her life. Lela and Dru were involved with Mesa County Social Services for over 35 years, specializing in medically fragile foster children, making sure siblings were able to stay together and taking in respite care babies. They were honored in 1999 by the State of Colorado, and Nationally in 2004, for all of their sacrifice and loving involvement. Along with fostering, she volunteered in the nursery at the church on most Sundays. She could always be found cradling a baby, and her heart was filled with boundless love for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Additionally, Lela enjoyed riding snowmobiles, playing piano, working in the yard (especially in her stunning rose garden), and spending time with family and friends.

Lela is survived by her husband of 57 years, Dru, sister Brenda (Nick) Flanagan, her children Neil (Jennifer) Bishop, Suzanne (John) Jameson, Tommy (Erin) Bishop, Angel (Josiah) Hoffman, Ariel (Anthony) Bishop, Josh Bishop and Jada Bishop, 18 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Nolie Steele Covey and Eileen Edith Covey, her brother Nolie Howard Covey, and brother in-law Ron Lee Wallace.

Memorial services will be held on Sunday, August 31, 2025 at Clifton Assembly of God at 2:00pm

The family kindly requests that guests honor Lela’s memory by wearing purple.