Ruby King Pope

Ruby King Pope of Brunswick, Georgia, passed away quietly in the early morning of Saturday, February 19, 2022, at the Senior Care Center, Brunswick, where she had been a resident for several years. She was 90 years old.

Born to Vivian and Frederick Hunnicutt in Hortense, Georgia, she was the fourth of ten children. She spent her youngest years playing along the Satilla River and on her grandfather’s farm, mainly tagging along with her brothers. The family soon moved to Brunswick where she attended Glynn Academy. Following high school, she went to work for Southern Bell in Brunswick as a switchboard operator and often told stories of working there and pitching for their softball team.

She married Clifford King of St. Simons Island and formerly of Vienna, Georgia. Following Clifford’s tour of duty with the Air Force, they made their home back in Brunswick where he was a pilot for the Georgia State Game and Fish Commission, and she was active in school and neighborhood activities. She and Clifford had three children, but she was soon widowed suddenly at age 29. Several years later, she was lucky to meet and wed Herschel Pope and gained a stepdaughter and stepson.

After retirement, Ruby and Herschel resettled in Brunswick where she opened a home childcare center. Ms. Ruby was known for always being there to help the parents and kept in touch with several of the children she had cared for who were now grown with children of their own.

Ruby loved life and immersed herself completely in every endeavor. She loved her family, loved gardening, and loved to help others, but she was passionate about her fishing. No matter where she lived during her lifetime, she would not agree to the move unless good fishing was guaranteed. And she had the wall trophies to prove it.

Ruby was preceded in death by her mother and father; siblings Eloise, Joyce, James, Charles, Gerald, and Betty; husbands Clifford King and Herschel Pope; son Clifford Wayne King, stepson Herschel Vaughn Pope III, and son-in-law Steve Whiten.

Survivors include a brother Julian Carroll “JC” Hunnicutt of Jacksonville, FL; sisters Wanda Lafane Whitefield of White Bluff, TN, and Marie Annette Hagerman (Dan) of Winamac, IN; daughters Nancy King Adcock (Arnold) and Joan King Whiten; stepdaughter Gail Pope Gresham (Steve); grandchildren Scott Adcock (Jackie), Zachery Whiten (Stefanie), Beth Watt (Barry), Cliff Gresham (Melissa) and Liz Crapse; great-grandchildren Bailey Adcock Gainous (Hunter) and Thomas Whiten; and many step-great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

A service in her honor will be held in the Edo Miller Chapel on Tuesday, March 1, at 11 a.m. Pall Bearers will include Tom Bullock, Terry Carroll, Hunter Gainous, Richie Gibbs, and Kevin McKinney. In lieu of Visitation, a reception will follow the chapel service for family and close friends at the daughters’ home.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at the Edo Miller website. The family suggests that instead of flowers, those wishing to contribute, please consider Hospice of the Golden Isles.