Mr. James E. “Nun” Pope of Columbia, Mississippi, went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at the age of 92. He was born in the Popetown area of Columbia to Joseph Carter Pope and Leona Seal Pope. He was a running back for the Columbia High School football team, and he married his favorite cheerleader, Billie Cooper Pope, in Goss, Mississippi, on April 10, 1954. After graduating from high school, they moved to Louisiana where he began his career in the Texaco oilfield. After their first daughter Angela was born, they returned to Columbia, but he continued to work offshore for Texaco. Their second daughter, Ginger, was born a few years later.
In May 1971, Mr. Pope was seriously injured in an accident while volunteering on the construction of the Columbia Academy football field. He lost part of his left leg due to complications from the accident on July 8, 1971. The Columbia Academy Board of Directors named the football field in his honor, and three of his grandsons would later play football there.
As soon as possible after his accident, Mr. Pope returned to work at Texaco. In the following years, he persevered through many difficulties resulting from his injury, as well as open heart surgery. He retired from Texaco in 1990, after thirty-six years of service. He was passionate about helping children who had experienced injuries similar to his own, so he volunteered for many years to raise funds for Shriners Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana. In the early 1990s, he built a house on the family farm where he raised cattle until well past his ninety-first birthday. He and his wife became “Pawpaw Nun” and “Mimi” to many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He has left a legacy of resilience, quiet strength, dedication, and hard work.
He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Carter Pope; his mother, Leona Seal Pope; his beloved wife of sixty-nine years, Billie Pope; his brothers: Sampson, Homer, Roy, and Harry Pope; his sisters: Edith Pope Lampley and Kathleen Pope Davis; his daughter, Angela Pope Reid; his son-in-law, Glynn Pierce; and his grandson, Jordy Pierce. Mr. Pope is survived by his sister, Josephine Pope Mobley; his daughter, Ginger Pope Pierce, who lovingly cared for him during his last years; four grandchildren: Brittany Reid; Nicholas Reid and his wife, Blair; Grant Pierce and his wife, Tara; and Gannon Pierce and his wife, Stephanie; and nine great-grandchildren: Cooper Reid, Jaelynn Sandifer, Noah Reid, Caleb Reid, Rhylie Sandifer, Hannah Reid, Oliver Pierce, Corbin Pierce, and Anslee Pierce. The family also would like to thank Reagan, Kimberly, and Rita who lovingly assisted with his care during his illness.
In lieu of visitation at the funeral home, the funeral procession will travel around the track at the Columbia Academy football field on Friday, July 10, 2026, at 8:30am. There will be a register book that friends can sign at the entrance to the football field. Following the procession, there will be a private graveside service at Pope Cemetery due to limited parking. The service will be officiated by Mr. Pope’s grandson, Dr. J. Nicholas Reid.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Mr. Pope’s memory to: the Office of Philanthropy at Shriners Children’s Shreveport, the Columbia Academy Creative Worship program, or the Columbia Academy McCullough Sims Reid English Award.
