Charles Ennis Pope Sr.

Charles Ennis “Charlie” Pope, 94, passed away on Friday, September 9, 2011, at St. Catherine’s Village in Madison, MS. Mr. Pope was born December 21, 1916, in Grenada, MS, to Harry Troutman Pope and Jessie Mosley Pope; the youngest of four sons, he was predeceased by three brothers, Harry Lee Pope, J.B. Pope., and Robert Pope. He lived in Jackson, MS, until 1993, when he moved to St. Catherine’s Village.

A member of “the Greatest Generation,” Mr. Pope was an Army veteran. A spirited storyteller, he often entertained and inspired family and friends by sharing memories of his service in the Pacific during WW II.

Mr. Pope had a successful career in the construction business, first as a salesman for Thrasher Co. in Jackson and later as the President of Contract Hardware in Jackson. During his working life which spanned more than thirty years, he made many long friendships and earned the respect of co-workers and customers.

Mr. Pope was a lifelong Methodist and charter member of St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Madison, MS. His deep love for God was apparent in every aspect of his life: his principled work ethic, charitable personality, appreciation of nature, affection for animals, unfailing sense of humor, and devotion to family. His favorite pastimes were simple pleasures, visiting State Parks, fishing, playing cards with family and friends, and supporting the Ole Miss Rebels.

On February 13, 1941, Charlie Pope married Edwina Virginia Matthews at Capitol Street Methodist Church in Jackson, MS. When Mrs. Pope died in 1991, they had been married for almost 51 years. They had three children, Charles Ennis Pope, Jr. of Clinton, MS; Gaither Troutman Pope of Baton Rouge, LA; and Deborah Pope Kehoe, of Oxford, MS, who along with their spouses Linda Bueno Pope, Rachel Bergeron Pope, and George Garvey Kehoe, mourn his passing. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Virginia Pope Wolford (James), of Bay St. Louis, MS; Michael Ennis Pope (Kelli) of Clinton, MS; Matthew Thomas Pope of Jackson, MS; Henry Gaither Pope of Baton Rouge; and two great-grandchildren, Jaron Gabriel Wolford and Lucy Katherine Pope. He also leaves behind a special friend Doris Hartford of St. Catherine’s Village.

Visitation will be open Sunday, September 11, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Wright-Ferguson Funeral Home on Highland Colony Parkway in Madison, MS, where funeral services will be held Monday, September 12, at 10:00 a.m., the Reverends David Carroll, Pastor of St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church and Mitchell Hedgepeth, Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Clinton, officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to any charitable organization benefiting society’s “least among us,” children, the poor, and animals. Online guestbook www.wrightferguson.com