Joyce Pope

Joyce Ann Murphy Pope, 89, of Montezuma, GA, passed away peacefully into her Savior’s arms on Saturday, August 1, 2021 at The Oaks Nursing Home in Marshallville, GA. Per her expressed wishes, a private memorial service will be held at a later date. Born in Powersville, GA to the late Robert Felton Murphy and Lorene Hamlin Murphy, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Glen Pope, her son, Robert “Bobby” Iverson Pope, her brother, Robert Jason “Jay” Murphy, and her sister, Dot Hatchett. Survivors include her two daughters, Glenda (John) Heckert, Alicia (Mickey) Head, grandsons, Jason Head and Bradley Head, granddaughters, Amy (Bruce) Dunckel, Stephanie Heckert, and great granddaughters, Haley Dunckel and Kenzie Dunckel. She is also survived by her brothers Olin (Mary Jane) Murphy, Kay Murphy and sisters, Nita (Donald) Bolden and Georgiann (Kell) Freeman. Joyce attended Fort Valley High School and was a majorette. In her later years, she received her GED from Georgia Southwestern College. She retired from Southern Frozen Foods after twenty-four years of faithful service where she served as Receptionist and later as Assistant Customer Service Manager. Following her retirement, she was the bookkeeper for her husband’s car lot, Pope’s Auto Sales. In her spare time, she was an avid reader and took much pride and enjoyment in working in her yard. She loved Christmas and was known for her “Widow’s Christmas Parties”. She was a dedicated and active member of the Montezuma United Methodist Church for over sixty years where she faithfully served as Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher, MYF Director, member of Methodist Women’s Circle, Joy Club, and a joyful choir member. Her steadfast faith was a huge part of her life, and we all take comfort in knowing she is now with her Lord and Savior. Her family would like to thank everyone at The Oaks Nursing Home for their dedication and loving care they have provided her, and for always lovingly referring to her as their “Director of Music”. Just as Joyce enjoyed helping others, it is her wish that, in lieu of flowers, all who wish or knew her to pass along an act of kindness in her memory or, if desired may make a memorial donation to “her” church, Montezuma United Methodist Church, 201 N. Dooly St., Montezuma, GA 31063.