ELLA MAE (TOWNSEND) POPE

July 23, 1920 - April 24, 2009
SOUTH BEND - Ella Mae Pope passed away at 7:29 p.m. on Friday, April 24th, in her home. Mrs. Pope, 88, was born on July 23, 1920, in Kilmichael, Mississippi, to the late George B. Townsend and Martha Doris. On October 12, 1940, she married George H. Pope Jr., who preceded her in death in 1976. Ella moved to South Bend in 1924.

She graduated from Washington High School in 1939.

After 25 years of service, she retired from Raco's in South Bend. She was a member of Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church for over 50 years where she served as a member of the Gospel Chorus choir, and most recently as a member of Missionary Society Circle #1. Mrs. Pope was also a dedicated and studious member of Sunday School Adult Class #8. Mrs. Pope enjoyed the outdoors and nature. She loved working in her yard, cutting grass, and tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. The landscaping of her yard was always beautiful, being featured on occasion in the South Bend Tribune. She was known best for her gift of hospitality and her love for entertaining. Some of her other hobbies included fishing, sewing, decorating and upholstering.

Ella was a loving mother and leaves to cherish her memory three sons, Ronald (Mary Rose) Pope, Kenneth Pope and Michael (Donna) Pope, all of South Bend; a daughter, Rosalind (Elige) Hannah of Niles, Michigan; and a son, Carl (Shirley) Pope, who preceded her in death. Two brothers, Benjamin (Annetta) Townsend and Allen Townsend of South Bend; four sisters, Mella Townsend, Norsis Stricklen and Elizabeth Stone, all of South Bend, and Georgia (Albert) Bradshaw of Gary, IN.

Preceding her in death were three brothers, Arthur Townsend, Ernest Townsend and Calvin Townsend; and five sisters, Maude Hall, Elva Williams, Bernice Flint, Geraldine Blake and Gloria Burton. She also leaves to her memory a host of loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends, Claudia Welch and Ida Wigfall, and special friend, Harold Scott, who preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Thursday, April 30th, in the Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 101 N. Adams St., South Bend. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday in the Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home. The Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral services.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Apr. 28, 2009

05/12/2023 EJS

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/southbendtribune/name/ella-pope-obituary?id=9461365