Linda Kay Pope

Linda Kay Pope left this world November 21, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. Born in 1944 to Wanda and LeRoy Cinnamon, her career Air Force family moved around many times, exposing her to new places and experiences from an early age. Following a short lived marriage after high school and the birth of her first son, Jim, she roamed for a few years, winding up in Wichita, Kansas where she met and married Robert (Bob) Pope in 1966. Shortly afterward, Bob adopted Jim and they raised him as their son.

Believing in old fashioned marriage (it was 1966), Bob went off to work while Linda stayed home with the kids. She became the guiding force that made a comfortable home and, welcomed all who came inside. An energetic and creative person, Linda promptly turned her hand to many different crafts, sewing clothes and outfits, producing uncounted paintings (both originals and cheating with paint-by-number) and many other decorative items to make for a cozy, happy home. Her green thumb was remarkable; she made almost anything grow almost anywhere. In a rare combination of crafting and a green thumb, she made dozens of macrame plant hangars. Plants hung scattered throughout the house until Bob begged her to stop, saying, “The place looks like Tarzan's tree house.”

They wanted more children and after a few years, Linda delivered Chris. Devoting herself to family, Linda decorated their home, volunteered at church and chauffeured a multitude of kids to practice. She also acted as a team mom for whatever sport was in season and, she was an amazing friend to many people. Always willing to give a hand, she had a smile and a kind word for anyone unless they were mean or insulting. This awakened an indomitable spirit that didn't take undeserved nonsense from anyone. When wronged or treated badly, she was a mean-motor-scooter. However, once a situation righted itself, her usual sunny disposition returned quickly.

Linda loved animals as well as plants, welcoming a long line of stray pregnant cats, rescued dogs and even a hamster. It was rare for the family to have fewer than two animals in residence at any time.

She often used her amazing emotional intelligence to help people she loved. As the children grew up, she worried that their family was growing apart. Linda wanted to find something that the four of them could equally enjoy. After considerable thought, she decided that water sports was the thing and Bob bought a dilapidated ski boat. That first summer, learning to water ski on a nearby reservoir pulled everyone together. When winter came, they worked on refurbishing the boat, which including rebuilding the engine and upholstering its seats. This pattern of summer water sports and winter boat refurbishment continued for years until the kids left the nest.

Once her children were older, Linda needed a challenge. She went to work in the business that Bob managed for many years. Because she enjoyed math and tinkering with numbers, Linda worked in accounting. She spent part of the time on the phone and everyone learned to recognize her soft voice and signature Southern drawl. Customers were welcomed with a kind word and a positive attitude. However, if someone was seriously past due, the mean motor scooter appeared and gave them a good scolding.

As the years passed and as she worked outside the home, both her boys married. She welcomed the wives as daughters and the six traveled together, enjoying holidays and becoming a cohesive family. In time, two grandchildren came that she adored and they were incorporated into the family rhythms of travel and vacation.

After retiring, Linda and Bob spent some years in New Hampshire, enjoying the change of seasons and cold winter weather. After Linda's arthritis became a problem in the winter, they returned to San Antonio and waiting family. Bob passed away after 52 years together, and Linda quietly entered assisted living and then, memory care. When Dementia and Alzheimers erased her remaining

memories, she left this world gently, which we believe is a blessing for her. Linda never feared death. She always said, “I'll close my eyes here and when I open them again, I'll be with Jesus.”