Anne Hughes Bishop

Laura Anne Hughes Bishop, 88, a nursing educator and long-time resident of Lynchburg, died on August 18, 2023 at Westminster Canterbury after a short battle with breast cancer.

Anne was born to Aubrey Scott Hughes and Virginia Flint Hughes and raised in Charlottesville, Va where she attended Lane High School.  Ann studied at Mary Washington College for two years and then transferred to the University of Viginia where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1958.  Anne married her high school sweetheart, Bobby Bishop, on June 15, 1957.

Anne and Bobby moved to Lynchburg in 1958 where Anne was employed by Lynchburg Baptist Hospital as a staff nurse on the maternity floor.  She quickly decided that teaching was her calling and became an instructor at the Virginia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing.  She went on to become the Assistant Director and then the Director of the School of Nursing.

Anne came to believe that a college education would best prepare nurses for patient centered care.  In 1978 Anne was instrumental in moving the nursing program from Virginia Baptist Hospital to Lynchburg College (now University of Lynchburg) and became the first chairperson.  She remained at Lynchburg College as a Professor of Nursing until her retirement in 1997.

During her career as a nursing educator, she coauthored several books on nursing and ethics and wrote numerous journal articles about the practice of nursing.   She also served on the Viginia State Board of Nursing and received the Nancy Vance Award given by the Virginia Nurse’s Association for outstanding community service. She earned a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Lynchburg College in 1968, a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Virgina in 1980 and a Master’s Degree in Psychosocial Nursing from Lynchburg College in 1986.

As a woman of compassion who cared deeply for all people, one of Anne’s proudest accomplishments was working with local churches and community groups to establish the Free Clinic of Central Virgina. As a founding board member, she served at various times as secretary, president, and interim Executive Director of the Free Clinic.

As much as Anne loved teaching and nursing, she also loved traveling with her husband Bobby.  They visited many countries including England, Denmark, Italy, The Netherlands, and Peru. They made many lifelong friends along the way. Friends traveling with Anne learned to become fond of exploring all roads not yet taken (literally).

Anne and Bobby moved to Westminster Canterbury in 2015.  They were immediately impressed with the warm atmosphere and personal attention they received.  The family thanks the staff and administration at Westminster Canterbury for their outstanding, compassionate care.  We would especially like to recognize Debbie, Royce, Peggy, Scott, Alice, LaKisha, Janet, Tika, Lauryn and Lilly for their excellent service during the last year of Anne’s life.

Anne is survived by her daughter Kathryn Bartholf of St. Charles, Missouri; her grandchildren Morgan Dawson (Kevin) of Lancaster, Virginia; Dominic Bartholf of St. Charles, Missouri; Colby Bishop (Callie) of St. Petersburg, Florida; Luke Bartholf of St. Charles, Missouri; and two great grandchildren, Olivia Dawson and Mason Dawson, both of Lancaster, Virginia.  Anne was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her son Barry Scott Bishop.

A celebration of the lives of Anne and Bobby will be held at the First Christian Church 3109 Rivermont Avenue Lynchburg, Va at 11:00 am on Wednesday August 23, 2023.  A reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall after the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Free Clinic of Central Virginia (1016 Main St. Lynchburg, VA 34503) or Westminster Canterbury Lynchburg Music and Memory Fund (501 VES Road Lynchburg, Va 24503).

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg is assisting the family.