J. L. ‘Jake’ Pope
Jake Pope was a lifelong resident of Jasper County born in the Glades. He and his family moved to his favorite place called “Popeville” when he was three years old in 1935. He loved his pastures there, and hunting and fishing were his greatest pastimes. He took great joy in teaching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to hunt and fish.
Jake and his bride, Lillie, started courting seventy years ago and have been married for sixty-eight years. Family was everything to him and his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were loved dearly by “Pa-Pa.” His friends were family to him as well and he was famous for spinning wild tales about his adventures involving fishing, hunting, logging and racing. Papa had a need for speed, and it seems that has been passed down to several of his children and grandchildren. The smile on his face and twinkle in his eye is something that his family will always remember, and how he loved us all.
His parents were the late Jobe Pope and Myrtice McMichael Pope. Logging was in his blood and something Jake loved and started doing at the young age of thirteen. Jake and his brothers owned and operated Pope Brothers Logging Company until his retirement.
He was at his best, when he was fishing with his grands and buddies, or trying to kill that big buck in the pasture which had eluded him for many years. Riding his tractor and planting his garden and food plots made him very happy, as did, his daily routine of taking his beloved dog, Spot riding around in the pastures where he loved to hunt.
Jake Pope was a man with a big heart as big as he was. He was a God-fearing man that loved people and helping others was a part of his nature. His friends describe him as a man that would give you the shirt off his back and they had seen him do it. He loved his family and was loved equally in return.
His wisdom, love for his family and others, the way he lived his life with a servant’s heart is his legacy that he passed down to the loves of his life, his wife, Lillie, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“For every sorrow that passes, something beautiful remains”.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Bill Pope, James “Dude” Pope, Winnell Minter, Glenn Pope, Bobby Pope and Connie Elaine Pope.
He is survived by his wife, Lillie Mae Hulsey Pope of Monticello; children, Tricia Armistead of Monticello, Barbara Smolinski of Greensboro, Donald “Duck” Pope of Monticello and Roger “Deacon” (Faye) Pope of Monticello; grandchildren, Ben (Erika) Armistead, Penny (Mike) Jorgenson, Gabe (Susan) Stone, Natalie (Preston) Davis, Troy Smolinski, Donnie (Johnna) Pope, Jacob (Tara) Pope, Tony (Sandy) Hood, Jason (Cindi) Pope and David Pope; great-grandchildren, Kyle Armistead, Kari Jorgenson, Angelina Jorgenson, Rosa Leigh Jorgenson, Allana Jorgenson, Autumn Stone, Allison Stone, Ellie Mae Davis, Kaya Smolinski, Elijah Smolinski, Loren Pope, Boone Pope, Jake Pope, Will Pope, Cody Hood, Levi Hood and Daisy Pope; and sisters and brother, Gloria Ann Henderson of Mansfield, Jane Hulsey, Linda Pope and Lonnie Pope of Monticello.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, at Bethel Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Mike Jorgenson, Harry Hudson and Donnie Pope.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be grandsons Ben Armistead, Gabe Stone, Troy Smolinski, Donnie Pope, Jacob Pope, Tony Hood, Jason Pope and David Pope.
The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019, at Jordan Funeral Home.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Monticello Baptist Church Youth Building Fund, 334 W. Greene Street, Monticello, Ga. 31064.
Jordan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Visit its website at www.jordanfuneralhomemonticello.com.