Fred Shirlen Fisher Sr., 89, of Rockingham, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2024 at Hospice Haven, surrounded by his family.
He was born on Oct. 13, 1934 in Nashville, Tennessee, to Fred and Mattie Lillian Fisher.
Bishop Fred Fisher’s testimony was: “I am addicted to ministry,” taking the Gospel of Christ to the ends of the earth was his passion.
Even as a young child, he displayed a strong work ethic, by delivering newspapers to downtown Nashville, Tennessee at the age of 8. Those early morning bicycle rides made him ponder his true calling in life. He dropped out of school in the 8th grade to pursue that calling from heaven.
Yet his passion for ministry drove him to excellence, which led to his commitment to higher education. He left home to attend Bible Training Camp in Cleveland, Tennessee in 1950. After his first term of Bible Camp, he and his newfound friend, Buddy Watson, began revival work in South Carolina. Buddy introduced him to his soul mate, Betty Jane Bunton. They were married later in 1951 during the International Assembly of The Church of God of Prophecy. He later obtained his Bachelor of Arts from Mid-America Nazarene College in 1975 and a Masters of Public Service from Western Kentucky University in 1979.
Bishop Fisher has been an ordained minister in the Church of God of Prophecy for 73 years. He has served as: evangelist, pastor (South Carolina, Tennessee), state bishop (Kansas, Kentucky, South Carolina, Virginia), North American presbyter and general bishop for the International Church of God of Prophecy. His last assignment as general bishop took him and his wife around the world to minister in many countries.
Bishop Fisher and his wife have spent the past 14 years at the ROC Church of God of Prophecy, in Rockingham, where they have served as the seniors pastors. Despite their age and tenure in ministry, they remained relevant with great vision and the ability to effectively communicate to people of all ages.
Fred Fisher was a loving and devoted husband. His family brought him great joy. He was extremely proud of all of his family’s accomplishments, especially their ministry in the Kingdom of God. He loved to testify of all of their achievements and their faithfulness to their local churches. As the patriarch of his family, he modeled and led the way of Christian integrity and character.
He touched countless lives all over the world with his kindness, wisdom, and unwavering faith. He served his community and his family with compassion and grace. He offered Godly counsel and guidance to the body of Christ that had the privilege of being under his leadership. He leaves behind a legacy of love, faith and integrity.
He is survived by his adoring wife of 72 years, Betty Jane Bunton Fisher; his daughter, Yvonne Fisher Gilmer (Steven); grandchildren, Stuart Gilmer (Casi), Kyle Gilmer (Stephanie), Alea Petersen (Grant) and Conrad Fisher. He also leaves behind four great-grandchildren, Mallory, Maddux, Noah and Boston Gilmer, who will always remember Poppa’s jokes and his sense of humor. He has two surviving siblings, Rebecca Sample and William “Buck” Fisher, along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Fred Shirlen Fisher Jr.; parents, Fred Fisher and Mattie Lillian Reed Fisher; siblings, Nadiene Smith, Ruth Mooneyham and James “Jim” Fisher.
Visitation will be held at the ROC Church of God of Prophecy, 139 Flowers St., Rockingham, on Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 11 a.m.–12:45 p.m. with the funeral immediately following. Officiating ministers will be Presiding Bishop of The Church of God of Prophecy Tim Coalter, Presiding Bishop of North Carolina for the Church of God of Prophecy George McLaughlin, the Rev. Jeff Sample (nephew), and Bishop Steven Gilmer. A private family burial will take place in High Point.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the ROC Church of God of Prophecy Building Fund, 139 Flowers St., Rockingham, NC 28379; or the Church of God of Prophecy One Child Fund, P.O. Box 2910, Cleveland, TN 37311-2910.
Condolences may be made online at carterfuneral.net.
Carter Funeral Home of Rockingham is assisting the Fisher family.
