Bob Pope

Bobby Ray Pope of Lexington passed away on February 24, 2014 at Brookstone Retirement Center after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. A Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00 pm Thursday, February 27 at First United Methodist Church, Lexington, with the Revs. Doug Rowe and Dr. Keith Ray officiating. The family will receive guests immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Koinonia Class and The Over the Hill Coffee Club. A private burial conducted by the Rev. Tony Owens will be held later in Forest Hill Memorial Park Cemetery. Bobby was born March 1, 1937, in Salisbury to Fred Eugene Pope Sr. and Vernie Surratt Pope. He grew up in the Erlanger Community and graduated from Lexington Senior High School. He attended East Carolina University and received a Master’s Degree from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. At ECU, he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He was a former president of the Lexington Jaycees and the North Carolina Association of Educators. Bobby retired from the Lexington City Schools after 32 years as a teacher and Vocational Director. He was a member of the Koinonia Class of First United Methodist Church and the Over the Hill Coffee Club. Preceding him in death were his parents, two brothers, Don Pope of Salisbury and Gene Pope of Welcome, a sister Susan Pope Weaver of High Point, and two brothers-in-law Larry Weaver and Joel Owens. Surviving are his wife Betty Hemphill Pope, stepdaughter, Lori Bagby Little of Durham, stepson, Rick Bagby and wife, Jennifer, of Seneca, South Carolina; his grandchildren Kenan Little, Payton Bagby and Taylor Bagby; sisters, Helen Pope of Roanoke, Virginia, Francis Myers and husband, Richard, of Lexington and Betty Pope Owens of Spencer; sister-in-law, Crissie Pope of Welcome and many beloved nieces and nephews. Memorials may be directed to The Life Center of Davidson County, 601 West Center Street Lexington or Hospice of Davidson County, 200 Hospice Way, Lexington. The family would like to thank Saundra Craven, Dr. Terry Arnold, the staff of the Life Center of Davidson County, Hospice of Davidson County, and the staff of Wing A at Brookstone Retirement Center for their loving care and compassion during Bob’s long struggle with Alzheimer’s.