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COURTLAND – James Franklin Pope Sr., 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’s where he grew up and eventually graduated from Newsom’s 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 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 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.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org