Mr. Willie Lee Pope, Sr. (Big Daddy) was born November 23, 1927 to the late Willie Andrew and Susie Kate Stargell Pope. He was their only child. He attended the Meriwether County School System. He joined the Shiloh Baptist Church at an early age; In which he stayed faithful until his health began to fail. Big Daddy was called home to be with the Lord early Monday morning on July 25, 2011.
Willie Lee worked in his early years as a foreman for the Hubbard Farms in Homestead, FL, and Haralson GA. He was also employed by Delta Airlines in Atlanta, GA.
Willie Lee always had a love for farming and growing vegetables. He sat many hours watching his gardens grow, “A Proud Farmer.”
He was married to the late Dorothy Lee Patrick Pope and to their union seven children were born with three preceding in death.
He later joined union with the late Annie Belle Perdue Pope and to their union fourteen children were born with four preceding in death. He was also the father of the late Olin Poindexter.
He leaves to mourn his passing, children: sons, Joe Henry Pope, Sr. (Newnan, GA), Johnny L. (Marie) Pope (Stockbridge, GA), Lennis Pope (Decatur, GA), Lawrence (Toni) Pope (Newnan, GA), James Stanley (Linda) Pope (Newnan, GA), Gary L. Pope (Greenville, GA), Willie Lee Pope, Jr. “Jim” (Greenville, GA),
Willie Andrew “Jack” (Lisa) Pope II (Senoia, GA); daughters, Susie Pope (Henry) Mack (Senoia, GA), Wendy L. Pope (Greenville, GA), Angley Pope (Greenville, GA), Pamela C. Pope (Montgomery, AL), Terri S. Pope (Newnan, GA), Lisa D. Pope (Greenville, GA), Sonia Pope Grady (Newnan, GA); two brother-in-laws, Mr. Fred Perdue (Greenville, GA), Mr. L. T. Anthony (Woodbury, GA); two sister-in-laws, Louise (Willie) Nelson (Daytona, FL), Mildred Tucker (Brooklyn, NY); special cousins who were like his sisters and brothers, Guy (Dolly) Pope, Sr. (Alvaton, GA), Dorothy Pope Davis (Alvaton, GA), Estell Thomas “Stell”, Bonnell Reid “Fish”, both of Atlanta, GA, J. L. (Sylvia) Hill (Dayton, OH); two special God daughters, Sarah Lovette Graham, (Newnan, GA), Janet “Kay” Weston (Griffin, GA); one special God son, Mike Spear (Concord, GA); forty-four grandchildren; forty-one great grandchildren; six great great grandchildren.
Two daughters preceded him in death, Miss. Sabrina Pope, Miss. Melinda J. (Squink) Pope; one son, Mr. Olin Poindexter (Buster), one grandson, Seaman Marcus Pope, one great grandson, Shadarrius McKeever.