Friends are invited to share in a celebration of the life of Helen Ann Burroughs Pope on Sunday, June 2, 2024, with visitation 2:00 p.m. followed by her celebration of life 4:00 p.m., at First Methodist Church, Ashland, Alabama with Reverend Ben Rosser, Pastor Brad Kimble, Judge John E. Rochester, and Guin Robinson officiating. Committal service will follow at Ashland City Cemetery.
Helen was born September 5, 1946 in Ashland, Alabama, and passed away May 24, 2024 in Birmingham, Alabama.
She was a proud graduate of Clay County High School Class of 1964 where she was CLAYCO HILITES Editor, FHA President, Junior Class President, Co-Editor School Paper, Who’s Who, and Most Valuable Cheerleader. Helen later attended Judson College for two years.
A defining moment in Helen’s life came at the age of 13 with her mother’s passing. It was then that the people of Ashland came together and helped raise her. The Mitchell family welcomed Helen into their home where Sue Mitchell Riley became her sister-in-life. This community support was the foundation of Helen’s love for the people of Ashland which she displayed with enthusiasm and passion for the rest of her life!
Helen was a teacher for Mellow Valley School, Barfield School, Head Start of Ashland, and for many years the Secretary and Bookkeeper for Ashland Elementary School.
She attended and was active at Ashland First Methodist Church. She was instrumental in organizing the county-wide Christian Ladies Luncheon. She served as President of the Modern Culture Club. She was a member of the Twentieth Century Club where she was chairperson of Apple Annie. She served on the Ashland City Library Board, the Ashland Industrial Committee, and the Clay County Bicentennial. She took great pride in leading the production and design of Governor Bob Riley’s Inauguration Parade Float. Helen was involved in many civic fundraisers through the years in giving back to the community she dearly loved. She was known for her exquisite style, southern charm, and outgoing personality. These qualities made her an amazing event planner and wedding director for many years.
Helen’s family includes sister-in-law Carolyn Burroughs, sister-in-law Sharon Burroughs, sister-in-life Sue Mitchell Riley; nephews and nieces, Ken and Susan Burroughs, Jeff and Denise Burroughs, Susan and Van Trent, Scott and Carolyn Burroughs, Jamie and Dyroma Burroughs; great nephews and nieces, Trey and Erin Burroughs, Jesse Burroughs, Libby Burroughs, Kacy and Brady Patterson, Cooper and Catie Trent, Johnson Trent, Lynne Marie Trent, Anna Hampton Burroughs, Claudia Burroughs, Lauren Burroughs, Marshall McGarity, and Anna and Brett Stallings; great-great nephews and nieces, Charlie Burroughs, Parker Burroughs, Emma Caroline Burroughs, Louise Trent, Cooper Trent, and Bowen Trent.
Helen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ronald Calvin Pope, her mother, Beulah Burroughs, her father, Bill Burroughs, her brothers Charles Burroughs and Hilton Burroughs, brother-in-law Dwain Pope, and her nephew Mark Burroughs.
Serving as pallbearers will be Trey Burroughs, Jeff Burroughs, Scott Burroughs, Jamie Burroughs, Van Trent, Don Riley, Cooper Trent, Johnson Trent, and Jesse Burroughs. Junior pallbearers will be Charlie Burroughs, Parker Burroughs, and Emma Caroline Burroughs. Honorary pallbearers will be Teachers and Staff of Ashland Elementary School, Clay County High School Class of 1964, and Special Friends.
Helen’s love for children will continue to grow with your memorial gifts to the Helen Burroughs Pope Children’s Foundation.
Gifts payable to:
First State Bank
Helen Burroughs Pope Children’s Foundation
88730 Hwy 9
Lineville, AL 36266
We could call on Helen, Ms. Pope, Aunt Helen, and Hey Hey for she always wanted to help and be involved in our lives.
Giving to others brought her great Joy.
Ashland will never be the same!
