Clifford William Pope

Clifford William Pope was born May 31, 1928, in Mansfield, Missouri, to the late William Calvin and Olevia (Duncan) Pope, and went to be with the Lord October 11, 2017. He was 89 years, 4 months, and 11 days of age.

Clifford attended Mansfield School until his family moved to Mountain Grove in 1945. He then graduated from Mountain Grove High School in 1946. After graduating, he started his career with Feese Chevrolet Company. Clifford served our country in the Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 1951, he married Joyce Ellen Crewse and moved to the family farm. God blessed him with a daughter, Nancy Ellen, and a son, Clifford William “Bill”, Jr. He farmed for 17 years before going to work at Producers Creamery (Mid-America Dairymen, DFA) in 1960. He started the first farm refrigeration and service for the area dairy farmers. His service area was from Lebanon to the Arkansas line one direction, and from Seymour to Thayer the other direction. He loved working for the farmers and never met a farmer he didn’t like. He retired, after 31 years of service, in 1991.

Clifford was saved at an early age and joined First Baptist Church, Mountain Grove in 1946. He was honored to serve as trustee during the transition to the new building. He became a deacon in 1984 and loved serving the Lord.

In 1981, the Lord blessed him with a grandson, Jared Kyle Doty, whom he treasured very much. In 2008, Jared presented him with a granddaughter-in-law, Jessica Copeland Doty. He said, “Now I have two grandchildren.” In 2013, his great-granddaughter, Piper Grace Doty, was born, and in 2014, his great-granddaughter, Breckyn Faith Doty, was born. Both of whom he enjoyed and loved very much. Clifford and Joyce recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary.

Clifford was preceded in death by his loving mother and father, Will and Olevia Pope, two brothers-in-law, Rev. Gene Crewse and Farris Crawford, and his In-laws, Eldridge and Faye Crewse.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce, daughter, Nancy Doty, son, Clifford “Bill” Pope, Jr., grandson, Jared Kyle Doty, granddaughter-in-law, Jessica Copeland Doty, two great-granddaughters, Piper Grace Doty and Breckyn Faith Doty, two brothers-in-law, Leonard Crewse and wife, Marietha, and Jack Crewse and wife, Naomi, two sisters-in-law, Helen Crewse and Clella Crawford, 20 nieces and nephews, 16 great-nieces and great-nephews, many friends, and his church family.