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NANCY JEAN CHISHALA

Nancy Jean (Bishop) Chishala, 48, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, January 9, 2022. Nancy was admitted to the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr, IA on Saturday afternoon January 8, 2022, due to Covid. Her husband Paul never left her side.
In Glendive, MT, on September 6, 1973, Gary and Sandy Bishop were blessed as they welcomed their sweet baby girl into the world. Her brother, Les, who was nearly two years old was very happy to have a baby sister. As the years went by Les and Nancy were joined by Carissa and Jared to complete their family. As Nancy grew, she was loving and caring to all around her. At a young age she chose to take on the role of caregiver to her siblings. Nancy always acted older than most children her age. This was often evident by her choice to observe the adults so she wouldn’t miss anything instead of playing with the other kids. Nancy was always shy and reserved as a child yet well-liked by those around her. It was through her love of children that Nancy became a successful business owner at the age of 18 years old. She operated her own daycare in Bigfork, MT. When her parents followed the call of God, which took them from Bigfork to Townsend, MT, Nancy chose to go and help in any way she could. In 1999 she felt God moving her to become a nanny. It didn’t take long before she found the family that was to become an important part of her story. Soon she was on her way to Fayetteville, NC to start a new chapter. Not only did this impact Nancy’s life but her sister, Carissa, was offered a position as a result of Nancy’s talent and love of caring for children. As the years went by Nancy was a nanny in New Jersey, Connecticut and Hawaii. In 2004 Nancy left her current position to help her sister who was expecting her first child. Nancy was always one to put the needs and wants of others before herself. However, she always had one desire that she began to think may never happen. She had always desired to be a wife and mother.
One day while walking on Waikiki beach and praying, she felt the tug of the Holy Spirit to do something she had never considered. She created a profile on a dating website. Little did she know that God was leading her to the man who would become the love of her life. A man who is even more than she had ever hoped or dreamed he would be. After many, many phone calls she was so very excited to finally fly to Texas to meet Paul Chishala and be able to see him become an ordained minister. In just a short time all those that knew Nancy best knew it must be love because he even got her to ride a camel. Nancy and Paul were married in Townsend, MT on March 17, 2012. They made their first home in Arlington, TX where they served at a church, and both held positions at Newman International Academy as well as with Brook of Life after school program. A few years later after trusting and praying for a child they were blessed with their sweet boy, Kulumbanya, on February 11, 2016. She was so joyful and thankful to be a mom. There were no words that could fully express her love for her little family. She always strove to be the best wife and mom she could. As time went by, they felt a calling for them to move. Always faithful they trusted God and he led them to Pastor New Life Family Church Mount Ayr, IA. God has filled their lives there with so many precious people as they ministered the love of Jesus. Nancy lived a life full of love for God and others no matter where she was.
She will always be loved and missed by those of us she left behind. We have the hope of seeing her again if we allow God to be our savior as he was hers.
Nancy is survived by her parents, Gary and Sandy Bishop, of Townsend, MT; her loving husband, Paul Chishala, and their son, Kulumbanya Chishala, of Mount Ayr, IA; her brothers, Les Bishop (Amanda) of Upton, WY, Jared Bishop (Tiana) of Townsend, MT and Peter Chishala (Bervary) of Zambia; her sister, Carissa Bland, (Pat) of Vandalia, IL; nieces and nephews Isaac, Josiah, Julianne, Jacob, Melissa, Garrett, Emma, Hope, Yande, Patience and Petronella; as well as many more family members and friends in Zambia, The United States, and other countries. She was a loving kind daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend. She will be greatly missed!
Services was held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at the
Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, IA,
Officiating was Pat Bland.
Music was “In The Garden”, “The Old Rugged Cross” and “It Is Well With My Soul”.
Casketbearers were Les Bishop, Jared Bishop, Josiah Bishop, Isaac Bishop, Jacob Bland, Jack Baker and Harold Johnston.
Burial was at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr, IA.
Memorials are to the family.

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