Irene Pope

Irene Pope, 89, died Sunday, October 9, 2011 at her residence in Abilene, Texas. Irene Tyler Pope was born April 18, 1922, to Travis William Tyler and Berton Johnson Tyler in Burkburnett, Texas, during the oil boom. She graduated from Henrietta High School and attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock. She took and enjoyed theology classes at McMurry University. Irene's mother died when Irene was 15 years old. Irene married William A. (Bill) Pope in 1941. After graduation from Texas Tech, Bill and Irene moved to Louisville, Kentucky, so Bill could work in the war effort as an engineer for the airplane industry. Irene was secretary to the boss at B.F. Goodrich Synthetic Rubber Plant. Bill and Irene had their first child, Billy, in Louisville, in 1944. Bill and Irene came to Abilene in 1945 where Bill was the stuctural engineer for David S. Castle Architects and Engineers. Their second child, Gage, was born in 1958. Irene and Bill were actively involved in Heavenly Rest Episcopal Church and worked on three or four building campaigns to construct the beautiful church. For years Bill and Irene were sponsors of EYC (Episcopal Young Churchmen) and managed several church related youth organizations. Irene was in the Altar Guild during the tenures of The Rev. Dr. Wallis P. Gerhardt, Edward P. Dentzer, William Eastburn (St.Marks), David Puckett, James Folts, Scott Mayer, and Luke Back. Working with The Rt. Rev. Bishop George Quarterman, Irene was one of the founders of St. Mark's Episcopal Church. She taught church school and was Chairman of the United Thank Offering and spoke in most of the churches in the Diocese of Northwest Texas. She attended General Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, and presented the UTO offering. She was Hospitality Chairman for Heavenly Rest where she arranged and decorated for the church social functions. Irene was co-chairman for the Episcopal Church's Northwest Texas Diocese Convention in Abilene. Irene was one of the founders of Christ House Day Nursery. She was on the Board of Directors, screened the applicants, kept books on their fees, and taught a Christian Education class every Friday for 17 years. She adored the children and Allie Ward, the directory. Irene was on the Board of Directors for Pastoral Care and Counseling for many years. She was a member of the Junior League and enjoyed sewing costumes for children's theatre. Irene was a chaperone in Vienna, Austria, for the "International Youth and Music Festival" in 1976. When one of the youth became ill and could not raise the necessary funds, Irene did so for the student, then went as her chaperone, allowing the student to attend. Of this festival, Conrad Bratton recalled, "The women had iced tea at the Inter-Continental Hotel." Irene was President of the Philharmonic Guild in 1979. She and Bill were on the Abilene Philharmonic Board of Directors for many years during the Maestro George Yeager era. Together they had fun decorating many Philharmonic Balls. After being taught how to make paper bougainvilleas by Rosie Bowyer and Jerry Skinner, they made thousands for the Philharmonic Balls. Her largest project was a striking Dallas Skyline backdrop that was 30' tall, 90' long, and 20' deep for the Texas Extravaganza Ball. It was made from refrigerator boxes, and Eddie Hodge's sail boat box and assortment of boxes transformed into an elegant edifice, complete with lights and windows and painted by Abilene artists. She started this project in October and finished in February. The National Hospital Association purchased this display for their National Convention at the Anatole Hotel in Dallas. They requested that Irene have it erected so she took a crew of Bill Pope, Nelda and Eddie Hodges, Janie and Holman King, and Susan and Sam Reeves. It took two 18-wheeler trucks to transport all to Dallas. Irene received the "Outstanding Volunteer of the Year" award from the Abilene Cultural Affairs in 1987. Irene was Registration Chairman for T.A.S.O. (Texas Association of Symphony Orchestra) state convention in Abilene three times. She kept the Philharmonic Association History and beautiful scrapbook for eight years. The Golden Charm Award was presented to Irene at the Gold Medallion Ball in 2007 for oustanding achievements and enthusiastic support of the Philharmonic since its beginning in 1957. She was the first to receive this honor. Irene volunteered on Tuesdays at the Heavenly Rest Church office, scheduling the Lay Eucharistic Ministers who visited the sick, home bound, nursing homes, and the bereaved. She also helped with the Hands-On Outreach assistance program for the needy in the community. On September 9, 2000, Bill died from a brain aneurysm on their 59th wedding anniversary. Surviving Irene are two sons, William A. Pope III (Billy) of Austin and Vars Gage Pope of San Antonio, Billy's wife Margaret, who Irene referred to as the daughter she would have ordered; two grandchildren, Travis Gage Pope of Austin and recent graduate of Texas Tech, and Leah Abigail Pope of San Antonio. Leah is a civil engineering student at Texas Tech where she was an engineering exchange student at Sao Paulo University in Brazil in 2010. Irene and her beloved companion of ten years, Jim B. Skinner, spent happy times target shooting, four wheeling on his ranch, and feeding the catfish. Life for Irene was grand. With cherished memories of family and friends she remarked, "Oh Abilene! How I Love Thee. God is good, I did it His way." Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m.Wednesday, October 12, at Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal with The Rev. N. Luke Back, Rector, officiating. Interment will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, Irene has asked for donations to be given to Hands-On Outreach assistance program at Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal, 602 Meander, Abilene, TX 79602; Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory Street, Abilene, TX 79601; or Pastoral Care & Counseling Center, 1317 N. 8th Street, Abilene, TX 79601.