Willie Mae Pope

Willie Mae was born on March 30, 1954 in Beaufort, South Carolina, daughter of the late Willie Pope and the late Ella Green Pope. Ms. Pope was raised on St. Helena Island.

She formally began her education in Beaufort County, SC, graduating from Beaufort High School in 1972 and Voorhees College in Denmark, SC with a Bachelors in Business Administration in 1977. Following graduating college, Willie Mae soon began her career in civil service, working for numerous government agencies throughout the Columbia and Charleston region until retirement in 2015, culminating in 28 years of civil service. During such time, thanks to her vigorous work ethic, Willie Mae earned the distinction of Employee of the 2nd Quarter for Charleston County in 2000.

Following her retirement in 2015, Willie Mae enjoyed traveling and visiting numerous locations such as the United Kingdom and Paris, France and working at the church in her free time. She also enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her granddaughter, Aaliyah by often playing games and taking her to the park.

Shaped by the Christian morals and values instilled in her as a child from her grandmother the late Viola Howard Green Austin, whom she lovingly called "Mama" as well as her paternal grandmother, the late Florence Boles. Sister Pope accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age. Through her devotion and love for God, Sister Pope became the Youth Choir Director and Trustee Ministry under the leadership of the late Reverend Prince Graham, Jr. and the Reverend Lawrence Bratton at Bibleway Baptist Church. She also was a member of the Adult Choir and occasionally taught children Sunday School. In 2013, Sister Pope transitioned her membership to Lovely Mountain Baptist Church where she served as a member of the Trustee Ministries and Gospel Choir under the leadership of the late Reverend Robert Deas Sr. and Reverend Michael Wright Sr. until her passing.

On Tuesday, November 24, 2020, Sister Willie Mae Pope peacefully passed at 10:54 a.m. at her home in Charleston, SC at the age of 66. She is preceded in death by her parents Willie and Ella Green Pope; her brother Donald Green; her grandparents and 2 nieces Shavasia Cuthbert and London Cuthbert.
Sister Willie Mae Pope leaves to cherish their memories: a loving son, Jaylan Pope of CA; a granddaughter Aaliyah Pope of CO; her siblings Mary P. (Deacon Luther) Cuthbert of SC, Ernest (Barbara) Pope of SC, Lionel (Dr. Bonita) Pope of FL, Flora P. (Anthony) Zorn of SC. Her aunts; Dorothy (Moses) Williams of GA, Viola Mary (Bishop Cleveland) Hackworth of FL, Caroline Boles of MA., and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Family and friends may view her on Thursday, December 3, 2020, between the hours of 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM, in the J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., West Ashley Chapel., 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway, Charleston, SC 29414. Her Private Home Going Service will be held later that day and will be live streamed. Burial will follow in Saint Helena Island, SC.

To view the Home Going Service via Live Stream, please use the following link: https://youtu.be/CbZvekhCtFQ