Jo Ann Pope was born on November 7, 1930 in Stroud, Oklahoma to Melbourne and Opal Oliver. She ran to the waiting arms of Jesus on December 22, 2019. She grew up on a farm outside of Stroud along with her older brother, Junior. She met the love of her life, Bob Pope in 1945. Bob described it this way. He spied her working in the school library, 116 pounds, dark brown hair and white bobby Sox. He mustered up the courage to pretend to talk to her about books. Two weeks later, they had their first date in Chandler and had chili. After that first date, he knew she was the one he wanted to marry. Her nickname in school was Twisty. He said she was everything he wasn’t...kind, considerate, sweet, loving and caring.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1948 Bob left Midwest City in his Ford Convertible and picked up Jo Ann. They drove to Cushing to be married. Half way there, he pulled off the side of the road and asked if she wanted to back out for marriage was for a long, long time. She said “drive on”. He had already bought a house in Midwest City where Bob owned and operated Tinker Grocery. Jo Ann was a beautiful woman who had a sweet and reserved disposition and was kind to everyone. She loved antiques, vintage dishes and decorating and making a warm and inviting home.
She was a lifelong member of Eastside Church of Christ since it was established in 1957. Jo Ann taught the 2 year old class for many years.
The love for her children and grandchildren was fierce. Jo Ann is survived by her husband, Bob and her 3 children, Wayne Pope and wife, Pam of Bixby, Lee Ann Cobb of Edmond, and Stephen Pope of MWC. 5 grandchildren, Ryan Pope and wife, Amie of Broken Arrow, Dr. Dustin Pope and wife, Rebecca, of Rogers, Arkansas, Landon Cobb and wife, Leigh, of Edmond, Lindsay Hix and husband, Steve, of Edmond and Rylee Harris and husband, Zach also of Edmond. 7 great grandchildren, Megan and Mason Pope, Lydia Pope, Brooklyn and Bryson Cobb, Kinley and Fallon Hix.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at Eastside Church of Christ, 916 S. Douglas Blvd., Midwest City, OK 73130 with Mr. David Roper and Mr. Ron Cannefax officiating. Burial will follow in Arlington Memory Gardens, Midwest City, Oklahoma.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kindful Hospice, 622 N. Porter Ave., Suite 200, Norman, OK 73071
