Margie Dorothy Grogan Pope, 89, passed into the loving arms of her Savior on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at her home in Villanow, Georgia.
Margie was preceded in death by Guy Adam Pope, her loving husband of 65 years; parents Boyd and Bessie Grogan; sister Martha Grogan Solomons; brother Jack Grogan; and son-in-law Mark Dunn.
Margie is survived by her daughters Anita Dunn and Juanita (Jeremy) Maanum; brother Melvin (Margaret) Grogan; grandchildren Nick (Charlsie) Maanum, Katie (Stephen) Dunn Vath, Taylor Dunn, Benjamin Maanum, and Emily Maanum; 6 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Brenda Grogan; brother-in-law, Dr. William (Len) Solomons; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Margie was born in Gordon County Georgia, and spent her childhood near Akron Ohio and in Rome Georgia. After graduating from Johnson High School in Rome, Margie continued her education at Berry College, a place she highly valued for the opportunity to earn credit toward a quality education by working on campus. Pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree with a specialization in Home Economics education, Margie spent time as a student teacher in LaFayette. Following graduation, she found her home there, where she married, raised a family, made a career, and became an active member of the community.
As a Home Economics teacher at LaFayette High School for thirty-three years, Margie passionately taught the skills of successful home management, but also poured into the hearts of students and coworkers alike. She got to know each student personally, and made herself aware of their needs in and out of the classroom. Her expectations were high, but before making a requirement of others, she consistently set the example by giving her all and going above and beyond what was expected. She served her school in many extracurricular ways as well, including senior class sponsor, Future Homemakers of America sponsor, and band booster officer. Her being chosen for the 1961 LHS yearbook dedication, as well as being selected as the 1982 Teacher of the Year for LHS shows the respect she held from those she taught as well as those she taught alongside. Margie demonstrated her commitment to excellence in education as a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma organization, the Walker County Association of Educators, and later as a member of the Walker County Retired Educators Association.
Margie was actively involved in her church and community. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of LaFayette, where she served in many roles including Preschool Sunday School director, Girls in Action teacher, and WEE Care Committee chairman. In the community, she gave of herself through participation in the Naomi Elementary PTO, as a Girl Scout leader, as a member of the LaFayette Woman’s Club, and as a volunteer at the Armuchee Valley Community Center. LaFayette is blessed to have many annual events showing respect to our Armed Services because of Margie. She was responsible for the first Veterans Day program at LHS, played an integral part in organizing the program at the Armuchee Valley Community Center, and she helped start the Woman’s Club flag program at Joe Stock Park. While she was not one to seek recognition for her efforts, her 1983 Deserving Citizen Award from Beta Sigma Phi, and 1984 award as the LaFayette Area Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year are evidence that her dedication to the community was commendable.
In her spare time, Margie practiced well the skills that she taught her students. She was an excellent cook, baker, and seamstress, helped to plant and put up the best garden vegetables, and was known to have the prettiest flowers and ferns. It then gave her great joy to share the fruits of her labor. Whether it was through a dinner invitation to her home, the delivery of a bouquet from her flower garden in times of sickness or grief, or in the planning and execution of the perfect celebratory party or shower, Margie merged her vocation and her leisure with hard work in a seamless way to benefit those around her.
In a word, Margie Pope’s life was one of selflessness. As a follower of Jesus Christ, she demonstrated obedience in loving the Lord with all her heart, soul, and mind, and certainly of loving her neighbor as herself. She gave freely of herself to countless students, coworkers, friends, and family. Her generosity of time and talents most certainly made better many lives.
The family will receive visitors at the LaFayette First Baptist Church on Saturday, November 2, from 10:00-1:00 p.m., with the funeral following. Dr. Derrick Fielder and Douglas Grogan will officiate. Interment will follow at East Armuchee Baptist Church Cemetery.
The pallbearers will be Chris Butler, Taylor Dunn, Boyd Grogan, Benjamin Maanum, Jeremy Maanum, Nick Maanum, Bryan Stickles, and Stephen Vath.
Honorary pallbearers are the Cheerful Doers Sunday School Class, LHS former students and co-workers.
In remembrance of Margie Pope’s life and the love she had of education and service, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Walker Retired Educators Association Scholarship Fund, Attn Richard Carlton, 313 Park Street, LaFayette, GA 30728, OR to the LaFayette Woman’s Club, Post Office Box 813, LaFayette, GA 30728. Please note MARGIE POPE memorial on the check memo line.
Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
