Judy Pope

1946-2023

Posted

Judy Gail Pope, 76, of Eureka, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023.

She was born Sept. 18, 1946, to Claudie McKinley and Jeanette Louise (Brumley) Whitson in Pampa, Texas.

She was united in marriage to Philip Leslie Pope Jr., Oct. 1, 1962, in the state of California. They had five daughters. She lived many years in California and Oklahoma before moving to Missouri.

She worked a variety of jobs, including car hop, bindery worker at Custom Printing Company and babysitter. She loved thrifting and telling stories.

Judy was the sweetest and also the strongest person you could ever meet. She spent her life taking care of others with never-ending patience and unwavering love for family. She loved her children unconditionally and was the best grandma ever. She struggled through many hardships, but never complained. She always made sure the ones she loved were taken care of. She was a young wife and mother when she lost her own mother and had to help raise her brothers and sisters. She was also a sister to Philip’s 11 brothers and sisters.

She has touched so many lives, and it won’t be the same without her. We will all miss her forever.

She was preceded in death by parents, Claudie and Jeanette; sisters; Sandra Whitson and Vicky Whitson; and brother-in-law, John Contreras.

She is survived by former spouse of many years, Philip Leslie Pope Jr.; daughters, Tammy Halbrook of Wentzville, Teresa Kalkbrenner and husband Tim of Union, Elizabeth Pope and significant other Rick (aka Rich) Viets of Owensville, Shelly Pope and significant other Jeff Klamberg of Fenton, and Jessica Pope and fiancé Dustin Hudson of Fenton; siblings, Jerry Whitson of Visalia, Calif., Sharry Taylor and husband Cecil of Exeter, Calif., Patricia Contreras of Farmersville, Calif., Nick Whitson and wife Deniese of Clearwater, Fla., and Debbie Whitson of Visalia, Calif.; and 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Judy was cremated and will be buried beside her parents. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later time.