Barbara Ann Pope's Obituary
“I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, Of Jesus and His love;
I love to tell the story because I know tis true,
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.
I love to tell the story! ‘Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.”
Barbara Ann Johnson Pope was born November 23,1935 to Bob and Ernie Johnson in Memphis, Tn. She was the second of 4 children, having 3 brothers whom she loved deeply. While she was raised very simply, she was loved very tenderly by her parents. Her mother made sure that each Sunday she walked all 4 of her children to church at Union Ave. Methodist Church so that they heard God’s Word preached and come to understand who Jesus was and what a personal relationship with Him meant. Barbara accepted Jesus as her Savior at the age of 10 years old and began to walk with Him as her mother and aunt taught her how to pray and study the bible.
She began piano lessons in elementary school which would become her career for over 50 years. She was an “A” student graduating a year early at age 16. She married Thad Bailey shortly after graduating high school and moved with him to Camp Lajeune N. C. where he began basic training as a marine. They had their first child, Barbara Gayle and shortly after that she moved back to Memphis for her parents to help with Gayle and Thad continued in his training. He became ill with an acute kidney failure due to having strep as a child. He was honorably discharged and they bought their first home and he began a job in Memphis. They became pregnant with their 2nd child as Thad became increasingly weaker. Glynda Leigh was born on June 19, 1955 and the very same day Thad was admitted to the VA hospital in Memphis Tn. where he would stay until his death in September of 1955. While these were very difficult times for her, Jesus sustained her, grew her in her faith, brought her daddy to salvation and provided for her every need. She was able to go to Music School at Washington University in St. Louis where she received her certificate to teach piano. She met a young man, Douglass Pope Jr., at choir at Union Avenue Methodist Church and they began to date. They were married on October 12, 1958. Gayle and Glynda were adopted by Doug and he was a wonderful father to them. They had a wonderful life together for 61 years and God gave them two more children, Douglass the 3rd and DeAnn. Her beloved, Doug, passed away on August 30, 2019 in Jackson Tn.
Barbara’s passion for life has always been her Savior, Jesus Christ. She loved to tell everyone she met about her wonderful Savior and how they too could have a personal relationship with Jesus. Whether it was her piano students, ladies in her bible studies, neighbors or a cashier in the grocery store, she would tell of Jesus’ love. Barbara took the great commission seriously and God has used her to draw many to Himself through her passion for the Gospel and her love for Jesus.
Barbara leaves behind her four children and their spouses, Gayle Roberts, Glynda and Keith Williams, Doug and Karen Pope and DeAnn and Brian Sellers. She was blessed with 8 grandchildren, Jessica and (Darrell) Borden, Bryan and (Amanda) Williams, Thad and (Lauren) Williams, Rebecca and (Chip) Holliday, Clayton and (Sadie)Williams and Kenneth and Keith Pope and Evan Sellers. She also leaves behind 13 great grandchildren, Alexander and Jackson Borden, Fenton, Ella and Maddie Williams, Hayden, Presley, Cash and Crew Williams, Virginia and Eldon Holliday and Jack and Miriam Williams.
She requests in lieu of flowers any donations or memorials be given to her church, Harvest Church at 3645 Forest Hill Irene Rd. Germantown Tn. 38138
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