Carolyn White Pope
Sunday August 17, 2025, Carolyn White Pope saw the face of Jesus and heard the words she had been waiting for. Welcome home my good and faithful servant.
Carolyn was born July 10, 1936, to James Calvin and MayBell White. Her little brother, James Robert (Bob) was born 10 years later. In March 1957, she married Don Pope. That union produced three children, Jane Knipp (John), Sharon Newkirk (Roy), and Monty Pope (Sara). After James Calvin’s death, MayBell married Herbert Lee Spence and our family added two bonus siblings, John Charles Spence, and Jerry Anne Adamczyk.
During their family time the Popes lived in three countries, four states and a plethora of cities. With this much travelling, Carolyn had the opportunity to start churches, show her children sights they could not fully appreciate until they became older and was a leader in multiple organizations, some youth leadership roles, and some church roles, and some local and state professional women’s club roles. Throughout all her life her continued faith and reliance on extended family such as a horde of cousins, just grew stronger.
While living in Milan, Carolyn worked for Gunderson Oil. The Gundersons and Pynes families welcomed her as one of their own and sustained her during one of the roughest times of her life. She was active at Immanuel Baptist Church in Milan, was a housemother at New Ends and loved providing food and smiles at the Community Outreach in Grants.
Those welcoming her home include her parents, brother, husband, son-in-law (Roy), grandson, and multiple others. She leaves behind her three children, nine grandchildren, and fourteen great grandchildren aged 26 to 18 months. She is also remembered by her two sisters-in-law (Betty White and Jane Irwin) and her two bonus siblings.
In lieu of flowers, the family thanks you for considering donating to the Community Outreach Center, 518 Valencia Ave, Milan NM 87021 or to your preferred local organization that is making a difference in your community. Carolyn made a difference in each life she touched.
Burial will be at the Grants Memorial Cemetery on October 6th at 10AM.