Eddie C. Pope
November 18, 1933 - May 26, 2022
Eddie C. Pope, age 88, the oldest of 13 siblings, departed from us at Christiana Hospital in Newark, DE at 11:15 pm on Thursday, May 26, 2022, from natural causes.
Eddie was born on November 18, 1933 in Gary, IN and attended Gary Roosevelt High School. He retired from Union Tank Car Company in East Chicago, Indiana as a Stenciler for 30 plus years. He served as president of Boilermakers Local 524 Union for 3 consecutive terms.
Eddie was united in wedlock to Gwendolyn Garner-Pope-Smith. He fathered 3 daughters, Rhonda Lynette Pope-Aikens, Marita Annette Pope, and, Soné and Keith Redmon.
Eddie loved sports particularly baseball, football, and basketball. Most of all, he loved Jazz music. He was so young at heart, he even enjoyed the rapper Tupac. He loved the rhythm section of any band, but mainly the drums. He loved the drums so much he would tap out beats on any hard surface. “Yes, that was our dad, The Drummer”.
Eddie was preceded in death by his father, Gentral G. Pope; mother, Lillie Pope Payne Lee; and 4 brothers, Robert Pope, Gilbert Pope, Fred Pope, and Melvin Michael Payne. In addition to his 3 daughters, he is survived by 4 sisters, Ms. Daisy Marlene Bullard, Shirley Payne, Virda Lee, and Mrs. Judy (Larry) Hobbs; 5 brothers, Gentral T. (Clothies) Pope, Sylvester Pope, David Payne, Jr., Herbert Payne, and Robert Lee; sister-in-law, Pamela Pope; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; along with a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, relatives and friends.
A graveside service for family and friends will be held at 12 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in Fern Oaks Cemetery, 1518 Elm Street, Griffith, IN 46319.
Flowers and cards may be sent to Fern Oaks Cemetery at the address listed above.
Michele Stafford
Rhonda and family you have my deepest sympathy.
David Payne Jr
Rest in heavenly peace Sonny..!
Melita Pope Mitchell
Rest in peace, Uncle Sonny. Love you much. Praying for all your hearts to be comforted family.
Love your niece,
Melita “Pinie” Pope Mitchell
Pee-Knee (in your voice)
Sabrina Pope
Rhonda, Rita and Sone, you have my deepest condolences and prayers at this time. I remember my Uncle Sonny’s extensive collection of jazz albums and he was the epitome of a jazz lover, always super cool and such a character. May he rest in peace.
Love,
Sabrina Pope
Phoenix, AZ
Marita A Pope
To My Dad,
Thank you for always being there for me. You will always be the first man I ever loved, The first hand I ever held, and My One and Only Daddy. Mom always said, “When you’d come in from working midnites, you’d rock me in your arms til the day lite.” I know I didn’t always say it, but I am so lucky to have you as My Dad. I will always love our memories, and my thoughts and prayers go with you. When you see Mom again give her kisses and huggs.
From my heart with love,
Your middle girl.
Marita Annette Pope
Marita A Pope
To my Dads entire family, I give my deepest heart felt love and condolences, for my Dad, he truly loved you all. May his soul rest in peace and forever love. He will be forever missed. May he dance the Rumba (his favorite dance) all over heaven in celebration to all his family that preceded him. Thank you all for your kind words. May he rest in Peace and Love.
Sincerely,
Marita Annette Pope
Rhonda Aikens
Dad rest in perfect peace your oldest daughter, Rhonda. When my time has come to join you in heaven, I’m going to dance with my father again.
Regina Pope-Ford
Condolences to Rhonda, Rita, and Sone, my father (Gentral), Syl, and the other siblings. Keeping the family in prayer.
Uncle Sonny, the coolest of the 14 will be missed. I am glad I had a chance to visit prior to Covid. He was was being one of the “Pope kings” giving out orders to the staff that day. As usual, when we visit with our elders, I learned something new that day. God bless.
Ameena Payne
Rest in power and peace, dear Uncle Sonny. You are so loved and will be remembered forever in our hearts.