Mona Joanne Pope died Sunday, February 28, 2021 at home surrounded by family. She was born on September 9, 1938 to Mary Monnie Pusey May and Stanley Alfred May. Joanne was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years Chester Pope in 1996, daughter Melody Austin in 2000, her sister Edna White in 1994, and great granddaughter Harper Wood in 2018.
She was the mother of Chester Pope (Gennie) and Teresa Wood (Walter); mother-in-law to Tracy Austin; grandmother of Shaun Smith ( Michelle), Walter Wood IV (Taylor), Christopher Wood, Laurie Patrick, and Sheila Irons (Richard). She was the great-grandmother Lucas, Elias, and Isabelle Wood.
Joanne was a dedicated mother, housewife, and part-time employee. Her last job was with HealthSouth as a receptionist. She was a past member of the Sweet Adeline’s, and belong to the Community Players for many years. She even wrote a play for the Community Players which celebrated all the holidays. She loved singing and acting. She was the longest active member of the First Baptist Church of Fruitland where she was the choir director for over 40 years using the gift of singing and music God gave her to spread the Gospel of Jesus. She loved leading the choir, producing plays, and directing cantatas.
Joanne loved her family with all her heart. She also loved her best friend Millie Zarnfaller, and neighbors Steve and Kathy Okerblom. She also had a special place in her heart for Mary Wood, Jo-Anna Smith, Dixie Sollazzo and Patty Hurchalla.
Funeral Services will take place on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 3:00pm at the First Baptist Church of Fruitland, 630 Clyde Ave., Fruitland, MD. There will be a viewing at the church one hour prior to the services from 2:00pm – 3:00pm. Entombment will take place privately at Springhill Memory Gardens Mausoleum, Hebron, MD. Donations can be made to the First Baptist Church of Fruitland.
