Judy Pope, 83, of Midland, Georgia died peacefully at her home Sunday, February 18, 2024.
Judy was born June 6, 1940, to parents Lawrence Edward Clark and Mary Opal Evans Clark Norris, in Dothan, Alabama. After graduation from Dothan High School in 1958, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Art degree from Auburn University in 1962. She moved to Atlanta and began her lifelong journey as an artist working as a fashion illustrator for Sears and Roebuck. While living in Atlanta, she met the love of her life, Marvin Pope, and married him in 1964. Their daughter, Pamela, was born in 1966.
In 1969 the couple, lifelong southerners, began an adventure in Columbus, Ohio, where Judy became an active artist, private art instructor, and church secretary for Mountview Baptist Church. Mountview became the main source of love and fellowship for her family for 15 wonderful years. While in Ohio, she gave birth to their son, David, in 1971.
In 1984, Marvin’s new job opportunity at AFLAC in Columbus, Georgia, brought the family back to the south, with both their extended families once again close at hand. Judy was delighted to continue her career as the Managing Art Director at Communicorp, eventually becoming Director of Human Resources. While there, she discovered her love of counseling, and she completed a Master of Science in Counseling at Columbus State University. Upon retirement from Communicorp, she began counseling professionally at the Pastoral Institute and teaching painting classes in her beloved home art studio. Attending the nearby Auburn football games or watching her Tigers on television became a favorite pastime.
Judy was a faithful lifetime follower of Jesus Christ. Judy and Marvin became active members at Berean Covenant Church, and invested their lives there. They also regularly hosted a home Bible study, “The King’s Way,” worshiping together with the many dear friends they made in Columbus. Judy loved her Lord and the Bible and was faithful to attend her ladies’ inductive Bible study class up until her death.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents Lawrence Edward Clark and Mary Opal Evans Clark Norris, and her sister, Yvonne Clark Boyd.
She is survived by her cherished husband of 59 years, Marvin, of Midland, Georgia; her daughter Pamela, of Midland and son David, of Columbus; and her nieces and nephews Donna Boyd Askew, Larry Boyd, Danise Boyd Stokeld, Andrew Boyd, Walter Pope, Jr., and Cyndi Pope and their families; and her loving cat Sammy.
A viewing and visitation will be held at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary in Columbus, Georgia on Friday, February 23rd from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The funeral service will be held in the chapel at Striffler-Hamby on Saturday, February 24th at 11:00, followed by burial in the adjacent Parkhill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Berean Covenant Church New Building Fund at P.O. Box 177, Midland, Georgia, 31820.
