SUFFOLK - Thomas Pope of the 1100 block of Custis Road, Suffolk, passed away Thursday morning, January 31, 2008 in Nansemond Pointe Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.
He was born in Suffolk to the late James E. and Elizabeth Riddick Pope. Mr. Pope was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Pope; daughter, Mary Elizabeth Porter; sisters, Henrietta Higgs, Alverta Creekmore, Annie Jones, Everleana Mitchell, and Mary Anthony; and one brother, James Edward Pope.
Mr. Pope was a born again Christian, a faithful member of Metropolitan Baptist Church, and enjoyed hearing the word preached and the choir singing.
His earliest job was farming. Later, he worked at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Suffolk Screen Factory, and Birdsong Peanut Factory from where he retired. He and his wife, Rose operated a store for many years.
Left to cherish his precious memories are his wife, Idell Higgs Pope; four granddaughters, LaVerne P. Holland, Regina P. Hawkins, Sharon P. Hargrove, and Lois P. Ricks; four great grandchildren, Nicole R. Porter, Kalsey N. Porter, Stephaine L. Porter, and Jerel C. Hargrove; four great great grandchildren, Terry Mitchell, Tavon Walker, Kaemani Joe, and Jamari Porter; five nieces, Rose M. Thurman, Marion Matthews, Linda Woods of Suffolk, Esther Basora of New York, and Dorothy Torelli of North Carolina; four nephews, Willie M. Mitchell of New York, Charlie Mitchell of North Carolina, Danny Hill of Portsmouth and Travis Mayo of Suffolk; and several other cousins and friends.
Special recognition would like to be given to the following individuals for their dedicated services and assistance to Thomas and Idell Pope during Mr. Pope’s prolonged illness; Julia C. Bradley, Gary Knight, Mazie Ford, Dr. Michael Williams, Leroy Andrews, Michael Ford, Dr. John Wing, Dr. Vincent Lee, Dr. Robert Hobbs and the Metropolitan Church family, and Jane Grant, NP.
The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at Metropolitan Baptist Church, officiated by Dr. Robert L. Hobbs, Pastor. Interment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery. Crocker Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
