Pope, Jeanne Westbrook
Friday, August 12, 2005
Drewryville, Virginia
JEANNE WESTBROOK POPE, 64, wife of Samuel E. Pope, Jr., passed away Wednesday, August 10, 2005 at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, MD after a brief illness. Born May 5, 1941, she was the daughter of Ethel Milliken Westbrook and the late Edwin P. Westbrook.
Jeanne, a multi-talented musician, began playing organ for Courtland United Methodist Church when she was but twelve years old. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1963 with a B.A. degree in Music, she gave freely of her musical talents in many capacities throughout her native Southampton area. She was a member, organist, and choir director at the Capron United Methodist Church. Her church work encompassed many areas, including the United Methodist Women, at both local and district levels, and editor of the church newsletter.
She was a member of the Franklin Federated Music Club where she had served as past president. In addition to her love of music, Jeanne was an avid gardener. She was a member and president of the Country Acres Garden Club and her love of reading was well-renowned and led to her membership in the Franklin Book Club where she had also served as president. Jeanne was also a member of the Southampton Historical Society and Rawls Museum of Art, serving both in several capacities.
For more than twenty-five years Jeanne was a devoted supporter of Southampton Academy. She served on its Founding Committee and its Board of Directors, and, as a teacher, shared her love of music with students.
Besides her husband of 42 years, she is survived by her mother, Ethel M. Westbrook; three sons, Christopher W. Pope and wife Rachel, Jeffrey W. Pope and wife Stephanie, and Mark F. Pope and wife Kimberly; her treasured grandchildren, Morgan, Harrison, Mason, and Avery; her sister, Peggy W. Shank and husband Ross of Reston, VA; her brother, James Westbrook and wife Jane of Richmond; and nieces and nephews, Virginia S. Conner, Julie W. Holstrom, Fred Shank, and Todd Westbrook. She was predeceased by her oldest son, Samuel E. Pope, III, and her father, Edwin P. Westbrook.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted at the Pope Family Cemetery, Royal Oak Farm, Drewryville, on Monday, August 15, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. with the Rev. Jim Smith, Rev. Glen Langston, and the Rev. Beth-Marie Barnett officiating. The family will be at her home at 23373 Royal Oak Lane, Drewryville, VA. and will receive friends at her home on Sunday, August 14, 2005, 7 until 9 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Southampton Academy, Jeanne Pope Music Memoriam, c/o Anne Pittman, Southampton Academy, 26495 Old Plank Rd., Courtland, VA 23837, or to Capron United Methodist Church, Jeanne Pope Honorarium, c/o Kay N. Pope, 16208 Old Belfield Rd., Capron, VA 23829. Purviance Funeral Home, Wakefield, assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be posted at our website at www.jtmorriss.com
Written by Sam and family as a tribute to Jeanne to be read at services by
Rev Glenn Langston—Jeanne would always proof things like this, so I have been
extra careful to avoid mistakes because I feel she is still looking over my
shoulder.
Jeanne Westbrook Pope-a wife, a daughter, a mother, a mother-in-law, a
sister, a sister-in-law, an aunt, a grandmother, Gigi ( as known to her
grandchildren), a niece, a cousin, a classmate, a cheerleader, a roommate, a teacher, a
musician, a gardener, a reader, a listener, a friend, and to everyone of us—
a very special lady---and while knowing that no one is perfect, she certainly
came close.
Jeanne loved her family (especially her grandchildren), her church, her
music, her books, her friends, her community, and life in general.
Someone always seemed to have a plan for her musical talents. When she was
only six years old while other kids were playing and doing normal six year old
things, Jeanne began her musical career with hours of music lessons under the
tutelage of Mrs Rebbie Riddick which would last until she left for college
eleven years later to major in music. Jeanne often told me how thankful she
was that her family and her great aunt Mrs Bessie Wills(whom Jeanne
named--Aunt Det-Tee) insisted on her practicing piano. At the tender age of twelve she
became the organist for Courtland United Methodist Church and continued until
she left for college. All of you at some point probably shared in Jeanne’s
musical talents which she gave of so freely --- never in a boastful way—but
as a way of sharing the great gift that she felt that she was chosen to share.
Her talents were probably not as evident to us as they were to you because
for the entire fifty years that I had the privilege of being with her, she
always possessed them. Just as she, we did not think of it as a talent, but
merely a part of Jeanne. Whether it was playing a four manual organ, that no one
else around at the moment could do, or putting together some magnificent
flower arrangement, she was never boastful of any accomplishment. She seemed to
treat it more as a given responsibility which it may have been.
We, now as you, are left with a void in our lives that we probably cannot
fill. We could go on and on with praise but that would only embarrass Jeanne. If
given a choice, Jeanne would have loved to have been here longer to share
her gifts with friends and family, but I am equally as sure that she has
accepted her new assignment and being a Monday is already looking forward to choir
practice with her new choir tonight.
Jeanne, we all love you so much !
See www.JeanneWestbrookPope.com for family tribute.
My deepest sympathy to the family. Jeanne and I went to Courtland Elementary School and I will always remember her as the up and coming music teacher as she was so smart and an excellent student who played for church and school at such an early age. I was in the graduation class of 1957 at Southampton High School. We were the last of 11 year classes before 12 grades were instituted. At Courtland Elementary we were all friends and participated in so much together. My heart goes out to all remaining family members especially her mother, Ethel.
Jean Rollings Holland, Winter Garden, Fl
Sending my deepest sympathy to you and yours. May the many years of happy memories linger in your hearts forever. Sincerely, Robin "Flowers" McClelland, SA Class of 1985.
Dear Family, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Mrs. Pope. She was truly joyous person and displayed her love of music and children while teaching at Southhampton Academy. She touched many lives and contributed so much to the success of Southampton Academy. Prayers to you all.
Renee Porter Webster formerly of Newsoms, now living in Muskegon, Michigan.
Our sincere condolences to the Pope and Westbrook families. We are saddened , also, by the fact that we have grown so far apart from our Southhampton County family. Childhood memories of summers in Drewryville are very dear. William Blount and Margaret W. Westbrook, Portsmouth, Va.
Sam,Chris,Jeffery, and Mark and families.
Terry and I are so sorry we could not be there today for Jeannies' service. Our hearts are very heavy and we grieve with you for such a beautiful, wife, mother,grandmother and friend to us all. Cindy had surgery on Friday and was not able to travel. We love you all and will get down to see you when Cindy is better.
Love to you all
Terry and Cindy
Sympathy and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Claudia Edwards Bell, Southampton High classmate of Peggy's and one of Ginny's teachers at Flint Hill, now living in Roanoke,VA.
We just returned from vacation this evening and we wish we could be there with you tomorrow in Drewryville. Please accept our condolences for your loss. Jeanne was such a great teacher and a great human being. Her love for the Academy and her students was genuine and remarkable. The last time we saw her she asked about our kids and commented how much she missed us. That was Jeanne. We will miss her. I hope you will take comfort in the many lives she touched. We will keep you in our prayers during this difficult time.
Sympathy to the entire family. You are in our prayers
Cotton & Linda Bradshaw Cobb formerly from Franklin and now Cincinnati.
We were so sorry to hear of Jeanne's death. Her music will always be in our minds and hearts. She played for our children at the Academy, and then for our Courtland Baptist Church choir's cantatas. She will be sorely missed by everyone in this area--she was wonderful ,and had a special touch and smile. She always made one feel better for knowing her. Please accept our condolences.
Sincerely, Trudy and Edgar Atkins
Dear Family, So sorry to learn of your great loss. My heart reaches out to you even though I have not seen any of you for many years. Ethel, I do hope I will some day have a change to talk to you. This type of communication still surprises me. With love and many memories. Bettie Cole Westbrook Orenduff Holland
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