Neva Lynn Pope, age 71, passed away on March 13, 2026. Born November 14, 1954, in Eureka, Missouri, Neva was a devoted, hard-working, and adventurous woman whose life was defined by deep love for family and a steadfast willingness to do whatever needed to be done. She resided in Independence Mississippi.
In the 1980’s, Neva became an executive at Tandy Corporation when they purchased Scott Appliance on Lamar Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee—an accomplishment she was especially proud of at that time. In 1994, she became co-owner of Pope’s One Stop in Independence, Mississippi. Neva embraced the long, demanding days—often 16 hours—working alongside her husband and other family members. In the years that followed, she found great purpose and joy in caring for her grandchildren for many years, until her self-proclaimed “Retirement.”
Neva’s love story with her husband began on a blind date at Thorntons Bakery in Memphis, where she famously told her friend, as he approached, “I’ll go this one time!!” She married him on June 22, 1972, right after her high school graduation. Together they welcomed their first daughter, Leslie, in 1975, and in 1987 their second daughter, Marybeth. Neva loved her children and grandchildren fiercely and was an amazing grandmother.
A woman of the outdoors, Neva loved catfishing, camping, and being outside in general. She traveled when she could, enjoyed the beach, and took pleasure in cruising the ocean. She also loved animals dearly, and it was never a surprise to her family if she came home with a new furbaby whenever the mood hit her just right. Neva also enjoyed online gaming with friends.
Neva was straight to the point—you always knew where you stood with her, and she did not mince words. “Say what you mean and mean what you say” was more than advice; it was her way of living. She was hard-working and very funny, with a wicked sense of humor. She loved all music and was never afraid to sing her own versions of any song she liked.
Neva is survived by her husband of 53 years, Lester A. Pope of Independence, MS; her daughter and son-in-law, Leslie and Daimon Weaver of Hernando, MS; her daughter, Marybeth Pope of Independence, MS; her granddaughter and her husband, Elaura and Kailon Weatherly of Hernando, MS her grandson, Jacob Effel of Pittsburgh, PA; her grandson and Fiancée, Brodie Weaver and Annie Burford of San Diego, CA; her granddaughter, Isabella Weaver of Hernando, MS; her brother and his wife, Lavoy and Lydia Clark of Camden, TN; her brother and his wife, Randy and Georgia Clark of Fairmont, NC; her great grandsons, David William and Oliver Jaxon Weatherly of Hernando, MS; her great grandson, Jack Ezekiel Effel of Pittsburgh, PA; and Callie TuTu, Beloved Furbaby; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her sisters; Helen Frances Clark Hicks; and Dorothy Jane Clark Short; her father, Joseph McBride “Joe” Clark; and her mom, Dora May Bradford Clark.
Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation with a catered fellowship on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Brantley Funeral Home, 6875 Cockrum Street, Olive Branch, MS. This will be a time to come together, offer support, and share cherished memories.
The family would like to thank all of the nurses and staff at Methodist Olive Branch Emergency Department, especially Taylor, who made sure Mom had everything she needed, and the entire ICU staff, including Dr. Patel, Stacy, Gina, Brittney, and JJ, who made sure Mom and Daddy were taken care of as well. They were with the family every day until the moment Neva passed, and it meant so much to the family.
