Anne Barnett Pope

Anne Barnett Pope, “Petie”, 91, passed from this life after a brief illness on August 7, 2013. She was born in Berryville, VA on March 12, 1922. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 67 years, George Pope; 2 brothers, William E. Barnett and Lynwood Barnett; parents Edward N. and Lillian M. Barnett; and niece Bonnie Barnett Revene. Petie is survived by her children, Randall Barnett Pope of Hialeah, FL, Patricia Pope Grow and her husband Gary of Providence Forge, and Mary Pope Laboy of Williamsburg. The extended family includes many loving nieces and nephews, cousins and their children. Petie lived in Berryville until she graduated from Berryville High School. Then she completed two years at Longwood College before her marriage to George Pope, former teacher and coach at Berryville High School and friend of her brother Bill. Shortly after their marriage, George was sent off to war and she filled the years with volunteer work for the Red Cross and the USO. When he returned from the Pacific Campaign, they started a family and settled in Fairfax, Va. It wasn’t long before daughter Patti’s love of horses encouraged them to move from the tiny rancher to the perfect place to raise a growing family and the larger animals in Oakton, Va. She was always the consummate wife and mother. After only a few years, she packed up the family and followed George to Yorktown, VA where he was offered the Superintendent of Schools position in 1963. They made their first home in Edgehill in Yorktown, but were soon shopping for land for horses and gardens and fruit trees. Lightfoot was the new address and Petie and George proudly watched three children graduate high school and college, son Randy graduated from the University of Miami, daughter Patti from J. Sargent Reynolds Community College and Mary from Christopher Newport University; all with honors. Patti married Gary Grow of Grafton in 1972. Petie continued to volunteer with the Red Cross Blood Bank and Meals on Wheels, but found a new calling in the 1980s when an agency called F.I.S.H. was just being formed in the community. It literally started as a small clothes closet in her church, but with her assistance it became an interdenominational venture that feeds and clothes hundreds of people a month and now has its own building – all funded through donations. Her contribution was so significant that she was awarded the “Golden Book of Deeds” by the Exchange Club, and honored by the Masonic Lodge for her many years of unselfish efforts. When George retired, they bought a small motorhome and traveled across country several times. It was one of her big dreams to see the National Parks. When age caught up to them both and the farm became too much to handle, they moved into Williamsburg where they lived until their passing. As a mother, wife, friend and Christian, she will always be remembered for her unselfish devotion to each. Dr. James Johnson will perform a memorial service for Mrs. Pope on August 24, 2013 at the Williamsburg Baptist Church on Richmond Road, Williamsburg at 2 p.m. The family will receive friends following the service. The interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to F.I.S.H., Williamsburg Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.