James Pope Obituary James Franklin Pope, Sr. March 25, 1937 － April 2, 2024 Courtland － James Franklin Pope Sr., age 87, was welcomed to his heavenly home on April 2, 2024 after passing away in his home in Courtland. James was born in 1937 to Willie G. Pope and Jesse C. Pope in Newsom‚Äôs where he grew up and eventually graduated from Newsom‚Äôs High School in 1955. He was married to his wife Audrey G. Pope for 68 years and they raised four children. James worked at Union Camp for a brief period prior to selling insurance for Southland before starting his 40-year military career. James worked for the Army National Guard, serving three tours of active duty at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX where he was a weapons instructor, retiring as Sergeant Major in 2002. After his military retirement he enjoyed working at the local hardware store in town where he was known as a beloved community member. James loved to travel with his wife Audrey with their favorite destination being Atlantic City, N.J. He also enjoyed fishing, going to flea markets, and cooking up the best fried chicken for any visitor that stopped in. He was a devoted husband with a kind, gentle and patient heart that served his family and his wife until his final breath. James is survived by his wife Audrey G. Pope, four children, James "Sweet" Pope Jr., Deborah Cobb (Johnny), Susan Darden (Jay), Steve Pope (Kristen Culpepper), nine grandchildren Sabrina Lee (Joey), Lynn Pope (Haley), Jamie Cobb, Amanda Cotton (David), Katie Shoemaker (David), Brian Darden (Julie), Adam Darden (Brandy), Brittany Carr (Ryan) and Dillon Pope (Amy). Also left with his memory are 14 great grandchildren, one brother, numerous brother in laws, sisters in law, nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to his friend and neighbor Donald Hobbs who checked on him daily and to the friendly staff at Food Lion in Courtland VA for always providing curbside service to our loved one. James was preceded in death by his parents Willie and Jesse Pope, two sisters, Barbara Burgess and Gwenny Overby and two half brothers Linwood "Cat" Pope and Harvey Pope and two half sisters Virginia King and Elizabeth Fowler. A Funeral Service will be held at 2PM Saturday, April 6, 2024 in Wright Funeral Home in Franklin with Pastor Drew Dunn officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow in Beechwood Cemetery in Boykins. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the funeral home and suggests that in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children‚Äôs Research Hospital or the American Heart Association in honor of the deceased. Obituary published on Legacy.com by Wright Funeral Home and Crematory － Franklin on Apr. 4, 2024. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.wrightfuneralhome.org/obituary/James-Pope-Sr 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/james-pope-obituary?id=54799259 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Narrative Summary of the Obituary James Franklin Pope Sr., born on 25 March 1937, passed away on 2 April 2024 at age 87. He was a devoted husband to Audrey G. Pope for 68 years and a loving father to four children. James retired as Sergeant Major after a 40-year military career and was a beloved community member. ### Narrative Summary of Funeral Services A funeral service was held on 6 April 2024 at Wright Funeral Home in Franklin, with Pastor Drew Dunn officiating. Burial with full military honors followed at Beechwood Cemetery in Boykins. ### The Edited Obituary James Pope Obituary James Franklin Pope, Sr. 25 March 1937 - 2 April 2024 Courtland James Franklin Pope Sr., age 87, was welcomed to his heavenly home on 2 April 2024 after passing away in his home in Courtland. James was born in 1937 to Willie G. Pope and Jesse C. Pope in Newsoms where he grew up and eventually graduated from Newsoms High School in 1955. He was married to his wife Audrey G. Pope for 68 years and they raised four children. James worked at Union Camp for a brief period prior to selling insurance for Southland before starting his 40 year military career. James worked for the Army National Guard, serving three tours of active duty at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX where he was a weapons instructor, retiring as Sergeant Major in 2002. After his military retirement he enjoyed working at the local hardware store in town where he was known as a beloved community member. James loved to travel with his wife Audrey with their favorite destination being Atlantic City, N.J. He also enjoyed fishing, going to flea markets, and cooking up the best fried chicken for any visitor that stopped in. He was a devoted husband with a kind, gentle and patient heart that served his family and his wife until his final breath. James is survived by his wife Audrey G. Pope, four children, James "Sweet" Pope Jr., Deborah Cobb (Johnny), Susan Darden (Jay), Steve Pope (Kristen Culpepper), nine grandchildren Sabrina Lee (Joey), Lynn Pope (Haley), Jamie Cobb, Amanda Cotton (David), Katie Shoemaker (David), Brian Darden (Julie), Adam Darden (Brandy), Brittany Carr (Ryan) and Dillon Pope (Amy). Also left with his memory are 14 great grandchildren, one brother, numerous brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to his friend and neighbor Donald Hobbs who checked on him daily and to the friendly staff at Food Lion in Courtland VA for always providing curbside service to our loved one. James was preceded in death by his parents Willie and Jesse Pope, two sisters, Barbara Burgess and Gwenny Overby and two half brothers Linwood "Cat" Pope and Harvey Pope and two half sisters Virginia King and Elizabeth Fowler. A Funeral Service will be held at 2 PM Saturday, 6 April 2024 in Wright Funeral Home in Franklin with Pastor Drew Dunn officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow in Beechwood Cemetery in Boykins. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the funeral home and suggests that in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the American Heart Association in honor of the deceased. ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | James Franklin Pope, Sr. | |---------|--------------------------------------| | Age | 87 | | Birth | 25 March 1937; Newsoms | | Death | 2 April 2024; Courtland | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |-------------------------|----------------------|-------------------------------| | James Franklin Pope Sr. | Decedent | Courtland | | Audrey G. Pope | Spouse | Unknown | | Willie G. Pope | Predeceased Parent | -- | | Jesse C. Pope | Predeceased Parent | -- | | James Sweet Pope Jr. | Child | Unknown | | Deborah Cobb | Child | Unknown | | Susan Darden | Child | Unknown | | Steve Pope | Child | Unknown | | Barbara Burgess | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Gwenny Overby | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Linwood Cat Pope | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Harvey Pope | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Virginia King | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Elizabeth Fowler | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Donald Hobbs | Friend/Neighbor | Unknown | ### Other Relevant Information 1. Graduated from Newsoms High School in 1955. 2. Worked at Union Camp for a brief period. 3. Sold insurance for Southland before starting his military career. 4. Had a 40-year military career with the Army National Guard. 5. Served three tours of active duty at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX as a weapons instructor. 6. Retired as Sergeant Major in 2002. 7. After retirement, worked at the local hardware store in town. 8. Known as a beloved community member. 9. Enjoyed traveling with his wife, especially to Atlantic City, N.J. 10. Hobbies included fishing and going to flea markets. 11. Known for cooking "the best fried chicken" for visitors. 12. Described as having a kind, gentle, and patient heart. 13. Served his family and wife until his final breath.