Raymond Eugene "Gene" Pope lived a life deeply rooted in the fertile farmlands of Johnston County, North Carolina. As a dedicated son, husband, father, and grandfather, Gene's life was shaped by hard work, strong family ties, and a deep connection to the land he called home.

Early Life and Farm Roots

Gene was born on March 30, 1932, in Johnston County, North Carolina, the second child and oldest son of Clarence Raymond Pope and Nancy Agnes Stancil Pope. He grew up in a busy household with four siblings: his older sister Mary Frances Pope Johnson, and his younger brothers Marshall Barnes Pope, Charles Ray Pope, and Henry "Speck" Claiborne Pope.

Life on the family farm meant hard work from an early age. Gene was intimately familiar with the demands of cultivating crops such as tobacco, corn, wheat, and cotton, with tobacco and cotton serving as the main cash crops that sustained the family. Pigs were raised for food, and his mother, Agnes, maintained a large and productive vegetable garden, contributing significantly to the family's sustenance.

Marriage and Building a Family

On July 19, 1952, Gene married Gracie Boykin in O'Neals Township, Johnston County, North Carolina. Their ceremony was officiated by Rev. T. Renfrow of O'Neals Township, with Mrs. Tilton Renfrow of Kenly, and Gene's brother-in-law and sister, W. (William) R. Johnson and Mrs. W.R. Johnson (Frances) of Selma, serving as witnesses. Gracie, born on September 23, 1932, in Johnston County, was the daughter of Willie and Jeanette Effie Raper Boykin.

Together, Gene and Gracie welcomed two sons into their lives:

• Kimmy "Kim" Eugene Pope (born 1953 in Wilson County)
• Randy Nelson "Newt" Pope (born 1956 in Johnston County)

They later found great joy in their roles as grandparents to Kelly, Amanda, and Michael Thomas Pope.

Later Years and Personal Losses

In his later years, Gene faced profound personal losses. His beloved wife, Gracie Boykin Pope, passed away on April 9, 1995, in Smithfield, North Carolina. She was laid to rest in the Wesley Raper Family Cemetery in Stancils Chapel, Johnston County.

Years later, tragedy struck again when their son, Newt, died on April 3, 2012, in Pine Level, North Carolina. He was buried in the Price Cemetery near Pine Level. Just a few months after Newt's passing, their grandson, Michael Thomas Pope, also died on October 20, 2012, and was buried in the Wesley Raper Family Cemetery.

Passing and Enduring Memory

Raymond Eugene "Gene" Pope passed away at the age of 82 on February 10, 2015. He was laid to rest beside his wife, Gracie, at the Wesley Raper Family Cemetery, bringing his life's journey full circle. Gene is remembered for his enduring dedication to his family, his hard work on the farm, and the quiet strength with which he navigated life's joys and sorrows.