Ima “Mae” Pope, 90, of Essex, Mo., died peacefully with her loved ones at her side on Nov. 16, 2019, after an extended illness.
The daughter of the late Homer Treadway and Violet Long Treadway, Mae was born in Pontiac, Mich., on Jan. 21, 1929. The family moved to Bernie, Mo., when Mae was a toddler, and she spent her entire life in the communities of Bernie and Essex. A strong work ethic that would be a driving force throughout her life was learned as a child picking cotton in the fields of southern Stoddard County.
Although having only achieved a formal education of eight years, Mae possessed a sense of compassion, caring, understanding and generosity that she effortlessly instilled upon several generations over her lifetime.
At the age of 13, as friends prepared for high school, Mae moved into the household of Buddy and Leota Hunt, where she would serve as cook and housekeeper in order to assist with the family’s income. She would remain in that role until she married the love of her life at the age of 17.
On Oct. 24, 1946, she and Lloyd E. Pope were wed in Piggott, Ark. He preceded her in death in October 2012. The two shared a multitude of memories over their 65 years together, among them many days fishing on Lake Wappapello and spending time in their cabin there. Also cherished as a couple was time spent in their backyard garden, where every vegetable known to southeast Missouri was harvested and canned for their immediate and extended families and friends.
Mae was a longtime member of Olive Branch Church in rural Essex, where fellow members benefited from her skills in the kitchen. She was perhaps best known for her excellent homestyle country cooking, and her dishes were highly anticipated at church, family and community gatherings. Making and serving the favorite dishes of family, especially her grandchildren, was one of her greatest joys.
She also found joy in quilting and took great pride in every stitch, especially those made for each of her grandchildren.
For many years, she also was employed at International Hat Factory in Dexter.
Mae is survived by her two children, Mike (Deb) Pope and Debbie (Dennis) Wilson, all of Dexter; by three grandchildren: Shaydra Vishe, Stephen (Jessica) Wilson and Eric (Loreli) Wilson; and by seven great-grandchildren: Brooke Patterson, Lauren Wilson, Ryan Wilson, Andrew Wilson, Jace Wilson, Lincoln Wilson and Arden Wilson.
Also surviving are: three sisters: Josephine Stinson, Faye Fortune and Norma Nash; and one brother, Wayne Treadway.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers: Bill Treadway and Gene Treadway.
Visitation for Mae Pope will take place at Rainey Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, from 1 until 2 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. with Rev. Michael Williams officiating.
Burial will take place at Armstead Dowdy Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Disabled Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Judes Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
