Eddie Pope

Eddie Earl Pope escaped the bonds of this earth and exchanged them for the glories of heaven on January 15, 2025. He is free at last. Eddie, affectionally known as EEP by friends and family, was born July 30, 1939, in Andalusia, Alabama. He was the son of Earl Lee and Elma Wishum Pope. As a boy, Eddie spent much of his time outdoors and in nature. He grew up loving to fish, hike and explore the woods around him. He loved the natural beauty of this earth until his last breath.

His family was not a wealthy one, and so he worked from a very young age, doing everything from selling vegetables out of his garden to working at a local florist. This experience taught him that hard work and determination were the tools that brought success, so as soon as he graduated high school, he set off for Auburn University with $10, a dictionary, and a dream to create a better life for himself. He majored in electrical engineering, co-oping with Covington County Electric and working odd jobs to earn enough money to pay his tuition. Upon graduation, he earned a job with the Apollo program and headed to Huntsville to become part of the team of engineers that built the Saturn V, the rocket that put the first men on the moon. Eddie won an award for his work on the Saturn V and was proud of the part he played in this history-making endeavor.

It was in Huntsville that Eddie met Sue Cook, his soulmate and love of his life. The pair married and moved to New Orleans when the Saturn V project was relocated there. After the rocket was completed, Eddie took a job at Rust Paper Company in Tennessee. Later, at the Mead Paper Company in Knoxville, he installed the very first paper machine computer in the world. The couple added a daughter (Mandy) to the family before relocating to Prattville, Alabama in 1967. In Prattville, Eddie became one of the engineers at the newly opened paper mill, Union Camp. A few years later, Eddie and Sue added another daughter (Liza) to complete their family.

Soon after their arrival in Prattville, Eddie began to work his way up at Union Camp and he and Sue began to weave themselves into the fabric of the community. They were quite socially active and very busy members of First United Methodist Church, serving on almost every committee and board at the church. More importantly, they had a strong faith that impacted others and that they instilled in their children and grandchildren. Their involvement was not limited to the church. Between the two of them, they also volunteered for almost every service organization in Prattville, contributing greatly to the city. In fact, Eddie was instrumental in saving Buena Vista and bringing the RTJ Golf Course to Prattville. He continued to work his way up at Union Camp and eventually became the mill’s Manager. He oversaw the merger when International Paper bought the mill and then stayed longer than he intended to ensure that his employees were treated fairly. After he finally retired, he had about a year to enjoy traveling before he was attacked by the disease that impacted the rest of his life.

Over the next 20 years, Eddie’s true strength, courage and sheer stubbornness were brought to bear as he battled the neurological issues that drastically changed his life. He fought like a champion. And as his body withered, his soul stayed the same. Still loving. Still brilliant. Still strong. Still Eddie to the very end. Today, we rejoice because his soul is finally free again. He is free at last.

Eddie was preceded in death by his wife, Sue. He is survived by his two daughters Mandy Pope Smith (Mike) and Liza Pope Peterson (Drew). He had four grandchildren: Jacob Lee Peterson (Taylor), Caroline Smith Dean (Jackson), Preston Andrew Peterson and Spencer Conaway Smith.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 20, 2025. There will be a private graveside service at Oak Hill Cemetery prior to the 11:00 am service at First Methodist Church in Prattville. Visitation will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Methodist Church in Prattville.