On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, we lost a wonderful woman, the matriarch of the family, our mother, Inez Elizabeth Pope. Mrs. Inez, as she was so fondly called was an absolutely wonderful person who was excessively loved by her family, by her neighbors, by her friends, and loved even greater by the members of her community. Mrs. Inez was born to Benjamin Augustus Williams and Virginia Dare Sharp, both preceding her in death. Early on, as a youth, mother strongly believed in Catholic teachings. She would attend Saint Joseph Catholic School; which was the only black Catholic school established for African Americans in the City of Norfolk. St. Joseph’s Parrish was a place of worship and a school for students from elementary grades through high school. In 1928, the school was expanded into twelve classrooms to accommodate a student body of 800. Tuition was ten cents a week for elementary students and twenty-five cents for high school students. However, no students were ever turned away because of their inability to pay. St. Joseph had the city’s first high school marching band and football team; the Praying Saints, whose chief rival would later be Norfolk’s Booker T. Washington High School.
St. Joseph’s School and Church closed their doors in 1961, and they would merge with the Parish of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception located on Chapel Street; Mom would later convert to Christianity. After graduating from St. Mary, Mom then went on to graduate from Booker T. Washington High School.
Mrs. Inez would later become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), immersing herself into a career as a care provider who served in the greater Tidewater area. Her genuine concern for her patients would often result in her receiving stacks of by-name requests, and this created a tremendous demand for her individualized services. Simultaneously, as an LPN, Mrs. Inez would meet her future husband, the love of her life; our father, Mr. Wiley A. Pope Jr. Mrs. Inez loved and adored her husband who was a veteran of the United States Air Force. Mrs. Inez always knew she wanted to be a wife and mother; and as such, she would go on to marry our father and together they would raise nine children. In turn, they would stay married for 50 years until her husband’s untimely death.
During the early years, when Mrs. Inez’s kids were growing up; the boys were heavily involved in sports. Whether they were going to the Hunton YMCA or participating in basketball, football, swimming, and/or boxing; mom would always attend all of their events. No matter how badly we played and/or lost a game Mom would not let the boys quit. She would say, you go back out there and show them what you can do! The same with the girls; mom would attend all of their events from school plays, cheerleading tryouts and/or competitions, and softball games, or she would encourage them as they tried out for their school’s band majorette team.
Mrs. Inez was the best mother that anyone could ask to have. She along with her husband raised their children with an overwhelming abundance of genuine love, support, and discipline. In fact, it is her kids who credit their mother’s discipline as an essential element in attributing to the successful outcomes of their careers. Mom used to say all the time, “I must have done something right,” I have a son who retired from the Federal Government as an Aircraft Mechanic; a daughter who retired from Civil Service; a son who retired from the Public School System; a son who is retired from the United States Air Force; a son who has discovered his independence via special needs; a daughter who is a Retail Entrepreneur; a daughter who is within two years of retiring from the Federal Government; a son who is a retired Long Shore Man; and a daughter who is a Senior Fire Fighter. We say, “Well Done” Mom, you have done an outstanding job of raising your children!!!
Mrs. Inez lived her life until the end of “fighting” because mom was not a quitter. Mom was a graceful person who often prayed and asked God for guidance in the challenges she faced as a mother, wife, and individual. Can you imagine the responsibility she had in caring for nine children during some of the horrible economies we experienced in the past? She understood how vital her role was as a mother, and she gave her children the tools to survive in our world of uncertainty. Mrs. Inez was simply a Queen and the love of her life was Wiley A. Pope Jr., her king. Ms. Inez is survived by her children Eugenia Pope-Genes, Anthony Pope, Terry Pope (Denise), Wiley Pope III, Sonya Davis (Lawrence), Jill Cooney (Jeffrey), Vance Pope, and Renee Muhammad (Al-Mubdi). She is survived by three sisters Anita, Antoinette, and Ida. She is also survived by grandkids, great-grandkids, and a host of nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Wiley A. Pope Jr., son Antonio and grandson Jonathan; as well as four brothers Richard, Ronald, Reginald, and Rudolph Keeling.
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Christopher Gray says
December 5, 2024 at 1:19 pmEugenia sorry for you’re loss
Debbie Willerson Ford says
December 6, 2024 at 12:41 pmTo the Pope family sorry for your lost with sincere condolences
From Debbie Wilkerson Ford and family. Your mom was a very nice lady as I remember her from Tidewater Park.
God will continue
Watching over and giving you’ll strength to get thru this.
God bless
Valerie Evans says
December 6, 2024 at 1:04 pmTo the Pope Family: I am sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. Please accept my heartfelt condolences and prayers. May you find comfort in the cherished moments you shared together, and may her memory bring you peace. Her love and guidance will forever be a part of you and live on in your hearts. I pray God will continue to bless you and comfort you in His loving care.
BRENDA MERRITT(Holloway} says
December 8, 2024 at 8:34 pmTo the Pope Family: It has been a while since I have seen Mrs. Pope and whenever we met at a store or just on the road, she always remembered who I was. Her smile was warm and friendly, and I send my condolences to the family with heartfelt sadness. We lived in Calvery Park on Tunstall Ave when here kids were small, Tony, Big Boy and her daughter there are others I don’t know but your mother was a jewel. God bless you all .
Darryl and Kimberly Brickhouse says
December 9, 2024 at 8:08 amDear Pope Family
May God bring your family the PEACE and COMFORT that only He can provide. Heaven has gained a beautiful Angel to watch over you.
Stephanie Fentress Harrell says
December 9, 2024 at 3:48 pmTo the Pope Family,
I send my heartfelt condolences to you all. What a beautiful later Ms. Pope was. May God comfort your hearts and give you comfort during these times.
Davaline Arrington Perry says
December 9, 2024 at 4:59 pmTo the Pope Family, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to you all. I remember meeting your Mom when I was a student at Ruffner Jr. High School. Eugenia and I were classmates. On one of my visits to the home we realized she knew my Mom and Uncle who both attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School. Ms. Inez always had a smile.
Abshalom Farrow says
December 9, 2024 at 7:59 pmTo the Pope Family,
Sincere condolences on the passing of your incredible mother. It took an amazing woman to raise such a beautiful, proud, family, while being a dedicated wife to the same hardworking man for 50 years. The body may rest but her soul lives on, and you all are the gift and reflection of her beautiful, powerful soul.
Joe and Candy Carter says
December 10, 2024 at 12:29 amCandy and I send our deepest condolences to the family as we celebrate mother Inez’s life as she transitions into eternal life. We will forever be impacted by her life and legacy. Be blessed.
Angie Carney Menendez says
December 10, 2024 at 10:52 amWe send our deepest condolences to the Pope Family. Our prayers are with you all. Take solace in knowing that everyone that Mrs Pope met fell in love with her sweet spirit. She would stop by our house in Poplar Halls just to check on my Mom and sit and talk. Remember The Carney family is here for you.
Bathsheba says
December 10, 2024 at 12:33 pmMy condolences and blessings to the Pope family. Mrs. Pope’s love and legacy continue to live through each of you.
Andrea and Carlos Spruill says
December 10, 2024 at 1:58 pmOur deepest condolences to you and your family. May God comfort you all as you endure this difficult time of loss.
Regina Etheridge says
December 10, 2024 at 3:46 pmHello Sonya and family, I’m sending condolences from the Evans & Burrus family. I had no idea that your passed, but I do know and remember how sweet and kind she was when you all live in TWP. Family feel what you feel and process how you need to. I love you all and my God continue to keep you all in the hollow of his arms while y’all go through this process 🙏🏽❤️😘
Linda D Parker says
December 12, 2024 at 4:08 pmPope Family,
There are no words to express the loss of a mother. Your Mother is your first love in life. The love that a mother provides and freely gives, can’t be brought. The Williams family, Linda, Drake,
Freddy & Annette sends our prayers, love and sympathy for your family. Hold on to all the love, laughter and memories of your beloved mother to sustain each of you for the days and nights ahead without her. God’s Peace & Love I leave unto each of you each day.
Linda D. Parker, – Chicago, IL
Formerly Linda D. Williams- Roberts Park
Vanessa says
December 13, 2024 at 6:32 pmTerry(Denise) Prayers for your Family as you remember your dear Mother. Memories are Forever!
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