Deacon James L. “Shim” Pope

Deacon James Linwood “Shim” Pope, 89, of Petersburg, VA,  peacefully went to be with the Lord on February 4, 2023 at Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center, Mechanicsville, VA. Born in Petersburg, VA, to Fannie Elizabeth and Joseph Thomas Pope, Sr.  Deacon Pope was baptized on May 12, 1942 at Gillfield Baptist Church.

He was a 1951 graduate of Peabody High School in Petersburg, VA. He attended Virginia State College (University) and played the percussion in the marching band.

He was a dedicated and committed employee of the United States Postal Service for 33 years and worked as a Sales Distributor for Arlington Chemical Company for 50 years. 

He was an ordained Deacon for 53 years, served in the church Missionary Society, the Men’s Sunday School and was a Cub Scout Master at Gillfield Baptist Church.

Mr. Pope is survived  by his two devoted and loving daughters, Michelle D. Polk (Jon) of Georgia and Jamie L. Clark (Kevin) of Virginia; grandchildren, Kevin Clark, Jr, and Jonathan J. Polk both of Texas and Tamara D. Clark of Virginia; great grandson, Dominic J. Reyes of Virginia; nieces and nephews, Johnella Abernathy of Pennsylvania, Joseph T. Pope III (Yvonne) of North Carolina, Karen Butler and Kamille Pope both of Missouri, Jill Pope of Georgia, and Cheryl Pope of Kentucky, Michael Freeman of Ohio, Calvin Freeman and Wayne Freeman both of Virginia; his loving sisters-in-law, Vernell Freeman of Virginia, Sylvia Pope of Missouri and Mary Pope  of Kentucky; and  a host of other relatives and friends. He was precedented in death by both parents; brothers, Joesph Thomas “Lil Joe” Pope, Jr. and John Richard “Dick” Pope; sister, Mary F. Pope; and his wife of 39 years, Mrs. Shelverden F. Pope.

Mr. Pope had several devoted and dedicated friends, Mr. Leroy and Mrs Dorothy Fultz, Mrs. Pauline Harris, Mr. Harold Walker, Mrs. Ann Crawford, Mr. Ben Scott, Mrs. Earshler Edwards, Mrs. Gilda Pegram, Mr. Joe Watson and Dr. George W. Lyons, Jr. and family.

Mr. Pope had a dedicated Physician and caregiver, Dr. Roderick Haithcock (PCP) and Mrs. Allen (nurse).

Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 11, 2023, at Gillfield Baptist Church, 209 Perry Street, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Dr. George W.C. Lyons, Jr., Pastor. The interment to follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers and plants, please make a charitable gift to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in memory of Mr. James Linwood Pope.

J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.