Obituary of Flora Mae Pope

Mrs. Flora Mae Norred Pope, mother, grandmother, great-grand mother and sister, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 19, 2021. There will be a graveside service for Mrs. Pope on Thursday at Oak Hill Cemetery in Talladega at 11:00 A.M. with Phillip Brewer officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday October 20,2021 At Usrey Funeral Home 5:00 - 7:00 pm. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles D. Pope, parents, Mary Frances and James L. Norred, brother, John Preston (Maybell) Norred, and sister, Mary James (Gene) Norred Harris. Mrs. Pope was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and friends after brief illness. She is survived by her children, Mary Lee (David) Mostella, Kim Pope, Wes (Fran) Pope, and Matt (Nan) Pope, and her brother, Jimmy (Martha) Norred. This wife and mother was blessed with six wonderful grandchildren, Amy (Allen) Graham, Cal Mostella, Bethany (Jason) DiSalvo, Ashley(Andy) Smith, Jonathan Pope, Benjamin (Lindsey) Pope, and six adorable great-grandchildren, MaryGrace (Grant) Smith, Gus Graham, Gabby Graham, Charlie, Liam and Baylee Bryce Smith, Romeo and Romilly DiSalvo. All of them would rush to her arms for red lipstick kisses that would leave her stamp of love on their cheeks. Most of them called her Maw as did many of her friends. She was employed by Dr. Arthur Toole as his secretary for 16 years. She made many friends during those years and also picked up a lot of first aid knowledge. She became known as the family “witch doctor” for all “boo boos”. Her kisses and bandages could fix you right up. Later she was employed by the Talladega City Board of Education as a teacher’s assistant. She worked at Houston Elementary School. Mrs. Pope was one of the kindergarteners’ favorite people. She could sew buttons and tears and help them with their school work. She always had an encouraging word for each student. However, she may be most well known as the snake catcher. When Checkers, the snake, went missing from the 5th grade, Mrs. Pope found him. Her scream of “SNAKE” cleared out all of the kindergarten classes until the snake owner could come and take him away. Mrs. Pope had many talents. She smocked dresses for her grandbabies, helped with her church’s Christmas Bazaar, cooked her well known rolls for many on holidays, and could RTR with the best of them. As a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, she and her sister, Mary James Harris, and lots of helpers fixed Wednesday night suppers for several years. She played bridge with the same group of precious ladies every other week. They solved the world’s problems and supported each other through life’s ups and downs with love and kindness for over 30 years. Mrs. Pope’s heart was big enough to love everyone she met, but she most enjoyed loud and often rambunctious family. Nothing made her happier than for all of them to gather at once with crying babies, running kids, and adults laughing and talking all at once. There was always something good to eat at Mrs. Pope’s (Mother’s) house. When everyone quieted down to eat, she would tell us about how wonderful her childhood was. She was raised in the country with cousins and siblings all around and grandparents to love. She never wanted us to forget the blessing of a big family like ours. At Christmas, when everyone was sated from food and gifts, Mother would sing O Holy Night to us in French. This will be a precious tradition sadly missed. Few knew what a lovely voice she had. Our mother loved life, her God, her family, her friends and her country. She taught all of her children to have good work ethics according to God’s Word, and she loved being part of a large joyful family. She was quick to sing the praises of family love. The honor of being a pallbearer will be her grandsons’ which she adored, Jason DiSalvo, Allen Graham, Gus Graham, Cal Mostella, Benjamin Pope, and Grant Smith. Honorary pallbearers are Jonathan Pope and Andy Smith. Usrey Funeral Home Talladega will be directing services.