Katherine Pope

Katherine Pope, 100, passed away December 31st at her home in Broken Arrow after a short illness. She was born July 12, 1916 in Iola, KS to Arthur Barber and Katherine (DeWitt) Barber. She attended school at Iola through the 8th grade until the family moved to Enid in 1930. She graduated from Enid High School in 1934 and went on to complete two years at Phillips University in Enid.

She was working at FW Woolworth in Enid when she was introduced to her future husband, Bill, by his sister-in-law Bessie Pope. They were married March 7, 1942 in Enid. Bill had enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1939 and subsequently spent 39 months serving in North Africa and Europe, returning home in August of 1945. In 1948, they moved to Waukomis where they would live for 27 years and raise their family. While in Waukomis, she was involved in many school and community activities. They returned to Enid in 1975 and both retired in 1981.

In 1966 she became Executive Secretary of the Tri-State Music Festival. During her time with the Festival it saw great growth with participation levels exceeding 20,000 students. She retired from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission in 1981 after 5 years of service. On retirement, Katherine and Bill moved to Osage, OK where they enjoyed living the lake life, boating, fishing and family and friends.

A dedicated Christian, she served in many capacities at several Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ) including Deacon, Elder, Church Board Chair, and many other offices. She was active throughout her adult life in Christian Women’s Fellowship where she served at the regional and district levels as Executive Secretary and Director respectively. A lifelong member of the Christian Church, she most recently was a member of South Grand Lake Christian Church (DOC) in Langley, OK.

Katherine was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bill, three brothers, one sister and several nieces and nephews. Katherine is survived by her two sons, Larry (Betty) of Wichita, KS, and Gary (Micki) of Broken Arrow, two grandsons, Nick Pope of Wichita and John Edwards (Leesha) of Wyandotte, OK, and two great-granddaughters Lillian Pope and Elyana Edwards. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive, each of whom she dearly loved.

Services will be held at 1:00 Wednesday, January 4th at Ninde Brookside Chapel, 3841 South Peoria in Tulsa with interment following at 3:00 at Osage Cemetery, Osage, OK under the trusted guidance of Ninde Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to South Grand Lake Christian Church (P.O. Box 387, Langley, OK 74350), or Cornerstone Christian Church (5531 E 37th St N, Wichita KS 67220).