Lilly K. Pope

Lilly Kinloch Pope, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, entrepreneur, educator, author, and cherished friend, entered into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, July 6th, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Born in Huger, SC on December 8, 1959, to the late Lee M. Howard and Mary Jane Kinloch, she was the third youngest of six children. In 1964, Lilly and her family relocated to Brooklyn, NY, where, as a child and young adult, she was an active member of Berean Missionary Baptist Church. She accepted the Lord as a young adult, growing to love and became knowledgeable of the word of God. One of her favorite scriptures was Psalm 27:1-4.

On August 1, 1987, Lilly married the love of her life, John F. Pope, Sr., and then relocated to Hackensack, NJ, where they met. Of this union, two children were born: Monique K. Pope and John F. Pope II. Shortly thereafter, she tapped into her entrepreneurial gifts, becoming the owner of LGJ Management, managing the likes of rappers Special Ed, Heather B, Notorious B.I.G., KRS One, Dick Gregory, and others.

In 1999, Lilly and her family relocated to Dover, DE, where she went on to pursue higher education, earning her B.S. in Psychology in 2006, a Master's of Education in 2008, and completing her first year of a Doctoral program in Education. Her love for children and education led her to publish 2 children's books in 2006 entitled: The Adventures of Rullie and Joey. These books were strategically used to inspire her great niece, Ariannah, and Kindergarten students, introducing a then 3-year-old Ariannah to a love for reading while also challenging kindergarteners to read on a higher grade level. Lilly was an elementary school teacher at North Dover Elementary. She also taught at the Academy of Dover Charter School, where she both began her teaching career and retired in 2018.

She was also a member of the Theta Zeta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, where she partnered with like-minded women to transform the lives of others.

Left with many cherished memories, there remains: her loving husband, John F. Pope, Sr.; two beautiful children, Monique K. Pope and John F. Pope II; four sisters, Alberta Kinloch, Patricia Ladson (James), Sonia Jonas (Marland), and Sandra Hobby (Quincy); one brother, Joe Kinloch; her brother-in-law, Harold Pope (Renay); and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.