Barbara J Pope

Services will be held November 23, 2024 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Located at 3300 N. Buffalo Dr. Las Vegas NV 89129. The viewing will be at 10: AM, the service at 11:00 AM. The internment will take place on November 25 at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Boulder City NV..

She was born July 15, 1933 in Kansas City, Missouri to Myrtle Lee Collins/Atchley and John Anderson Atchley. She has eight older brothers and two older sisters. She has one younger sister Nancy Shields, who is the remaining member of the Atchley family.

Barbara married George “O” Pope June 4th 1951, at the Salt Lake Temple in Utah. They were together for 59 years. George passed away November 10th 2010. She has three adult children: George Douglas, Cynthia Lee Mullarky and Anthony Owen. She has one daughter-in-law, Kellie, Anthony’s wife.

The extended family includes Cynthia's family, Granddaughter Shawna Janikowski, her husband David Janikowski, and her children Elizabeth Fogo, Sarah Fogo and her partner Noah Schwerdtfeger. Sarah blessed us with a great great Grandson in March of this year, his name is Henry. And Grandson Rick Robertson, his wife Michelle Robertson and their children Cash and Lily. Georges’ family consists of Daniel and Raychel Pope and their two children Matthias and Charlotte. And sons Jacob Pope and Matthew Pope. Anthony and Kellie have three children who still live in Las Vegas. Anson and Connor Pope and Riley McGrath and her husband Sean and their two children Aiden and Rory. Anthony’s son Christopher Lore and his wife Faika live in Florida and Kellie has three more children John, Emily and David, who Barbara will always love.

Barbara grew up in Kansas City Missouri during the “depression” and “World War II” years in difficult circumstances. However, she didn’t realize then that the family was poor because of the care her mother and family provided as they accepted life’s circumstances and did the best they could. She graduated from Central High School in Kansas City Missouri and married George when she was just 17-years-old.

Barbara was very close to her mother. She was also especially close to her youngest sister Nancy Shields. Later in life, Barbara, Nancy and her husband Bill, had many adventures traveling the world. She has talked to Nancy almost every day over the last few years.

One of Barbara’s passions as a young girl and teenager was music. She often performed at Church and community events singing popular songs. As an adult she continued her music talent with a performance group in the San Francisco Bay area and in church choirs.

Barbara chose to be a stay-at-home mother for her family. She was there 24-7 with cookies and milk, making sure homework and chores were done, along with fun and singing before bedtime prayers. Holidays were a favorite of Barbara’s as she created delicious Thanksgiving extravaganzas and Christmas magic. She taught her children the difference between right and wrong with Jesus Christ as the center and purpose of life. She was a pleasing excellent home keeper providing a peaceful, happy, spiritual environment.

She was also the “neighborhood mom” where everyone felt welcome. As Gregg Schouten has said, “she was like a second mom.” She put on amazing birthday parties and holiday events. She was very popular with adult friends and created many fun social “get-to-gathers.” She has many life-long-friends. We are sure they are continuing those friendships in the spirit world.

One of Barbara’s challenges was having to “move”often, related to George’s successful career advances. However, no matter where the family moved to, she made new friends and a comfortable home. They lived in Kansas City, Denver, New Mexico, Castro Valley, Hayward, Ventura, Eureka, San Diego, Walnut Creek,Ventura again, Hartford and Oxnard. A while after George retired, they moved to Las Vegas. After that move, Barbara said she was not going to move anymore. For the last 25 years she has lived in Las Vegas where two of her brothers, Louis and Ernie and their families lived and where some family and friends have followed.

Her daughter Cindy and son Anthony and family came to Vegas and have been a source of pleasure and support for Barbara. She was also particularly close to Maurine and Fred Schouten and their family. Barbara is also close to Frank and Deloris Atchley who also found their way to Vegas.

Barbara is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her life-long faith in Jesus Christ is her foundation and most defining characteristic. She was a leader in the women’s “Relief Society,” Primary children’s programs and temple family history work. Her organization and “get things done” skills are legendary.

After retirement she and George served the church in the Hartford Connecticut mission. Later She had a mission translating hundreds of Spanish/Mexican Microfiche documents into English for family history work.

Barbara was an avid crocheter and seamstress, making blankets and kitchen towels to give away. She kept herself busy with church work, award winning craft projects, writing letters, reading books and re-reading the scriptures many times. These are just a few of her many remarkable qualities and life experiences that could fill volumes.

The last few years of Barbara’s life have been more comfortable due to the dedication, love and concern of her daughter Cynthia Lee Mullarky who has taken care of her in the most difficult times. Anthony and Kellie have also been wonderful in their loving care.

We will miss Barbara’s presence but her delightful kindness will always be with us till we meet again.

Her life can be summed up in the phrase “Charity the true love of Christ.”

Sincerely … George Douglas Pope

A viewing for Barbara will be held Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at External Service Location, 3300 N Buffalo Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89129. A funeral service will occur Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 3300 N Buffalo Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89129. A graveside committal service will occur Monday, November 25, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Memorial Dr, Boulder City, NV 89005.