Albertha Watts Pope

Albertha Watts Pope, educator and activist, stepped proudly into glory March 3, 2025 at the age of 85.

Born in Montgomery, AL to Mudora and Marzette Watts Sr., her formative years were shaped by a lineage of freedom fighters. Her great-grandmother Susie Foster was said to be a descendent of the Clotilda, the last ship of Africans destined for enslavement in America. Foster taught her to read from newspaper clippings and charged her to go back to the "Old Coast"-the ancient name for Ghana was the "Gold Coast"-and repair the family line, someday.

Albertha's grandmother, Rosa Lee Murray, was an elevator operator in the Montgomery County courthouse during a federal investigation into the obstruction of African-American voting rights. At great personal risk, she smuggled evidence of falsified voter rolls to the NAACP before officials could destroy them.

Albertha, too, carried the flame of resistance. Active in protest movements, she was captivated by Ghanaian leader Kwame Nkrumah's vision of Pan Africanism. She graduated from St. Jude’s Educational Institute in 1957, the same year Ghana gained independence from Britain, and earned her bachelor's in Education at Alabama State University with high hopes.

But freedom and justice was not for all. Disillusioned with the U.S. and remembering her vow to great-grandmother Foster, she staked her life savings on a one-way ticket to the "Old Coast," joyfully joining the first post-colonial, independent Black nation.

In Ghana, Albertha found purpose. Under the direction of Pres. Nkrumah, she helped build the new society, and remained in West Africa for the next two decades. Albertha became vice principal of a large private school, won national recognition for saving a stranger's life, wrote plays and ran several businesses.

When her children reached school age, she brought the family back to the US and continued teaching. She was that firm but fair teacher students knew not to mess with, who also packed an extra lunch in case someone needed it. She was no respecter of persons. It sometimes came at a cost, but she was willing to pay.

Her marriage ended and Albertha turned even more to community, starting a youth theatre group, speaking at events and opening a retail store. Then one summer, while visiting a friend in Michigan, she met Willie Pope. His kind, steady demeanor eventually coaxed her back down the aisle, where she was embraced by his warm and caring family. She became a resident of Milan in 1988.

Albertha was a woman of ideas and energy. She spearheaded the Black Parent Support Group and the Black Student Union at Milan High School, and was an excellent orator much in-demand for churches, clubs and cultural events. Albertha was a beloved member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, where she served on the Mother's Board. She made time for fun, too, with BB King concerts, comedy shows, and zoos.

Tremendous and heartfelt thanks go to friends who made their care known in her declining years, with visits, supporting the family and reciprocating some of the love she gave so freely.

Albertha was preceded in death by her parents; brother Marzette Watts Jr.; and husband Willie Pope. She is survived by a son, retired Navy man Iyorliam Tardzer (Sherry; Huntsville, AL); daughter Nguashima Kelly (Walter; Tucker, GA); daughter, healthcare advocate and primary caregiver Mwuese Doshima Tardzer (Milan, MI); and youngest d aughter Emiene Wright (Charlotte, NC). Also grieving are brother of the heart Ted Pontiflet and a host of relatives and friends. Her influence continues in the lives of everyone she touched. She was always teaching, inside the classroom or out.



Donations in her name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. We also encourage participation in Voices of Black Women, a 30-year study to improve health outcomes.

Wake: March 14, 6-8pm at Ochalek-Stark Funeral Services in Milan, MI.

Homegoing: March 15, family hour at 11am and funeral service at noon, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 11982 Tuttlehill Rd, Milan, MI 48160

Live-streaming noon March 15 at https://www.facebook.com/share/1ABy5cTHeY/.