Betty L. Pope Obituary as written by BLP many years ago with a few additional facts added by her family.

Betty Louise Banks arrived in this world on October 15, 1931 in the old homestead at 30 Windsor St in Roxbury, MA . She was the only child of Charles Simeon Banks and Catherine Banks. She attended Boston Public Schools (Asa Gray Elementary, Hyde School 7th & 8th), and graduated from Roxbury Memorial High School in 1949. She briely attended Boston Clerical School of Business, where she studied typing, bookkeeping and short hand.

She married Alvin M. Pope of Columbiana, Alabama in Boston on January 31, 1950. Of this union 3 children were born: Alvin, Paula and Maurice (Gary). She was employed at Travelers Insurance Company from which she retired after 25 years. She worked in the clerical department as a supervisor and did some bookkeeping as well.

Her hobby was dancing and she studied under the renowned local dance teacher, Doris Jones. Her passion was tap dancing like her father. He teamed with Earl Hines and traveled a lot with him dancing and playing a trumpet . Her mother was a homemaker and housekeeper at the Belville Hotel on Beacon St.

While still a "senior" Betty was an active participant with the Sensational Seniors "walking group" at the Reggie Lewis Center and also enjoyed walking around Franklin Park. She used to travel with Sarah Claytor's travel group and visited numerous countries around the world. Since her grandfather was a native Bermudian, she enjoyed visiting the island, meeting family and making new friends. Among her closest friends in Boston were Natalie and Ronald Majors and their family, her Wolcott Street neighbors of many years and Wilma Browne, a devoted friend, who stayed in touch with her until her last days. When asked how she wants to be remembered she laughingly said as a "great person" and one who wanted to help others.

She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother and "Auntie Betty" to many. Preceding her in death were her husband Alvin M. Pope, her grandparents Bessie and George Raynor, parents Catherine and Charles Banks, her children Alvin, Paula and Gary Pope, great grandson Quincy and her great granddaughter Jamaya. She leaves behind to mourn her loss 6 grandchildren Dolores, Maurice (Shannon), Chache, April, Courtney and Chauncey, 7 great grandchildren Laila, Tamia, Rhys, Niqueila, Chantell, Darian and Damian, 6 great great grandchildren Nariyah, Iz'Ahri, (King) Zedikiya, Zi mani Catoure, Zeus and A'mi and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Tributes

Betty L. Pope was incredible and unapologetically real. Always honest, trusting, loving and really devoted to us all. She will be remembered for her clever banter, short and sweet comments, unwavering strength, generosity and affectionate hugs/kisses and memorable love taps.

Being with her was the safest place you could simply be, and she was always there for us too. It was well-known but unspoken that the Pope residence on Wolcott Street had an "always welcome- to-stop-by-or-call" policy. While short in stature, she had a powerful commanding stance (hands on her hips), her presence was undeniably mighty, with a moral compass that seemed embedded. Being ever loyal, hardworking, thoughtful, dependable and faithful were her standards.

Our beloved matriarch remarkably held many titles you know, but she may have also been your best friend and a neighbor. She was also a community organizer in a local group of ladies called "Le Femmes". Enjoying her circle of friends, they travelled a lot to casinos, cruises, social events and plays. She never missed family gatherings (reunions, cook-outs and playing cards.) When at home uninterrupted, she was deep sitting in the recliner: loved books and puzzles, read three daily local papers and completed the puzzle challenges in them. Having won a district spelling bee, she was a word-nerd that could not be beaten at Scrabble.

She often played games on her computer all night long, watched movies, TV dramas like Law & Order, plus game shows: Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and Family Feud; and believe it, Pay-Per-View boxing events or listened to great comedians and gospel music. In remembering her, she always had a clear focus on the big picture…living, giving and loving. She worked hard, played hard, surely cried, and laughed hard too, all towards giving life her absolute all. An experienced blueprint for life she has displayed.. Caring mostly on the well being of us, this great big family of ours. Impressively, she has left her mark on each of us. There is no question how truly unforgettable she is now and forever more as Nat King Cole sung it, "Unforgettable, in every way~"