Joyce W. Pope

Joyce Wilkins Pope passed away peacefully on May 14, 2014, surrounded by her family in Raleigh, North Carolina. Joy was born on November 10, 1929 in Linden, North Carolina, to William Arthur Wilkins and Ruth Tew Wilkins.

Joy graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1947, and worked at Highsmith Hospital in Fayetteville, NC before marrying her husband, John William Pope, on May 14, 1949. John and Joy moved from Fuquay Springs, NC to Raleigh in 1961. Joy enjoyed traveling, cooking, entertaining, and gardening. She loved spending time with her friends and family. Joy was especially passionate about the arts, and a longtime supporter of Raleigh Fine Arts, Carolina Ballet, and the North Carolina Symphony, as well as being a life long fan and supporter of the UNC Tarheels. She was a beloved wife, mother, daughter and friend.

Joy was a founding member of the Raleigh Fine Arts Society and a member of White Memorial Presbyterian Church. She was a member of the board of directors of the John William Pope Foundation for 27 years, serving as its first president from 1986 until 1992.

She is survived by her daughter, Amanda Joyce "Mandy" Pope of Citra, FL, and her son, James Arthur "Art" Pope and his wife Kathy of Raleigh ; her brother, Philip A. Wilkins of Fayetteville; and her grandchildren, Joyce L. Pope of Raleigh, and Earle J.A. Pope of Boone, and their step-brother Nicholas G. Vail of Raleigh.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John William Pope, and her son, John William Pope, Jr.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 19th at 2:30 pm at White Memorial Presbyterian Church at 1704 Oberlin Road, Raleigh NC 27608. The family will receive visitors at the church following the service. There will be a private burial at Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her memory to the Raleigh Fine Arts Society, Step Up Ministries or the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's St., Raleigh.