Grady Newell Pope, age 89

Grady Newell Pope, age 89 of Forest City, NC, passed away October 13, 2023.

A native of Cherryville, he was a son of the late Alvin and Iva Dellinger Pope. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Forest City for nearly 60 years. Grady was a graduate of Cherryville High School. After serving in the United States Navy (1952-1956) during the Korean War aboard the USS Missouri, he attended Appalachian State Teachers College and UNC-Charlotte.

In 1960 he began his teaching career at Rutherfordton Elementary School followed by several years of teaching and coaching at Cool Springs Middle School. In 1965 Grady moved to East Rutherford High School. He was assistant principal and athletic director at the time of retirement from East High School in 1992.

Left to cherish many wonderful memories are his wife of 60 years, June Heasley Pope; two sons, James Dirk Pope of Forest City and Bryan Lee Pope and wife Lisa of Forest City; one sister, Dorothy Lingerfelt of Cherryville, three grandchildren along with many nephews and nieces.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Airman James D. Pope, who remains listed as Missing in Action from the Korean War.

The family will receive friends 12-1:45pm Saturday, October 21 at First United Methodist Church of Forest City. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 2pm. Rev. Curtis Goforth will officiate. Military honors will be accorded on the front lawn of the church. Interment will be private for the family at Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the First United Methodist Church, 341 E. Main St., Forest City, NC 28043 or Hospice of Carolina Foothills, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043.

An online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com