Shirley Long Pope, 87, of Opelika, was born on Feb. 2, 1935, and passed away on Jan. 1, 2023. She was a member of the Opelika First Baptist Church. She was the daughter of the late Ora Lea Garrett Long and William Press Long Sr.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 62 years, James Vernon Pope; brothers, William Long (Lou), Dwight Long, Forrest Long; and sisters, June Long, Glenda Jumper (Jimmy) and Jean Lane (Riley).
She is survived by her sons James Jeffrey Pope (Amy, of Hazel Green, Alabama) and John Steven Pope (Connie, of Auburn), and three grandsons, John Zackery Pope of Charleston, South Carolina; Russell Steven Pope of Jerusalem, Israel; and Jared Blakely Pope of Hazel Green. She is also survived by her beloved sisters-in-law, Jeanine Long of Smiths Station and Betty Jo Long Nelson of Opelika, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She worked at various places after marriage, but then decided to stay home with the two boys, and help run the cattle farm alongside her husband.
Visitation will be at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, beginning at 11 a.m. with a service to follow in the chapel at noon. Mrs. Pope will be laid to rest at Garden Hills Cemetery.
Afterwards the family invites you to join them at First Baptist of Opelika for a meal and the chance to share memories.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to:
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
P.O. Box 1893
Memphis, TN 38101-9950
