It was a cold, windy, rainy, Monday, January 27, 1930, in the Piney Community of Lawrence County, Tennessee, when Gena Ester Clark Pope was born to the late Herbert Oscar and Ruth “Clatis” Phillips Clark. She was the second of five children and was also, preceded in death by three brothers, Baby Clark, James “Olen” Clark (Mary Lou) And Herbert “Aaron” Clark.
Gena’s mother died suddenly, in September 1935, leaving her, her brother “Olen” and baby sister, Glendora to be raised by their father. He stated that “He could not be a share-cropper and raise three small children by himself.” He moved to Toledo, Ohio for employment and the children were raised by their maternal grandparents, the late James Wiley “Jim” and Molly Sue Garrison Price Phillips. She was also, preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Alexander Campbell “Alex” and Cora Mertie McKinney Clark.
Gena ascended to heaven on September 16, 2023, in Lawrenceburg, being 93 years of age. She was a 1949 graduate of Danville High School, Danville, Alabama; a former volunteer for Meals-on-Wheels; member and treasurer of the Red Hill FCE Club; election worker for the Lawrence County Election Commission; and a retired Lawrenceburg business owner.
She was the oldest living member of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church; enjoyed traveling and took many trips with her good friend, the late Betty Bassham Perry. Other favorite hobbies included raising a garden (until she was 89 years young), canning for her church’s “Country Market Bazaar,” reading her Bible, solving find-a-word puzzles and listening to gospel music, especially the Chuckwagon Gang and The Speer Family. For many years, she and her friends had played Scrabble every Thursday afternoon, at her home, and she would bake a cake or pie for them to enjoy. Gena loved her family very dearly, enjoyed traveling with them and preparing meals for the family’s get-togethers.
Gena Ester Clark Pope is survived by: two sons, Aaron Neal Pope and wife, Dorothy Mae, of Lawrenceburg, TN and Roger Dale Pope and wife, Lisa Ann of Florence, AL; four grandchildren, Stephanie Rose Pope Wright (Kevin Wayne), Amy Elizabeth Pope Bryson (Brad Steven), Alexander Clarke “Alex” Pope (Olivia Shea) and Caroline Ann Pope; seven great-grandchildren, Emma Rose, Mikaila Faythe, and Callie Elyse Wright, Ethan William and Sophie Elizabeth Bryson, Sawyer Wren and Judsen Grey Pope; one sister, Glendora Clark Perry (J. B.) of Lawrenceburg, TN; one maternal aunt, Clora “Sue” Brazier (Gene), of Toledo, Ohio; three nieces and many cousins.
Arrangements are being handled by Neal Funeral Home, 231 N. Military Avenue, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Friday, September 22, 2023, at Neal Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at Neal Funeral Home at 3:00 PM Friday, September 22, 2023, with Rev. Tommy Flood officiating. Interment will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Lawrence County, TN. Pallbearers are Jim Clark, Gilbert Clark, Wade Clark, Ricky Fleming, Danny Lee, and Terry Price.
A special thank you to Patti Odom and the staff at The Summit of Lawrenceburg and the staff of Unity Hospice for the wonderful care mother received.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be mailed to Pleasant Grove Cemetery Fund, c/o Patti Moore, 340 Valley Road, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464 or Greenwood United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Kevin Kidd, 46 Ridge Lane, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464.
