Mary Grace Pope

Bedford--Mary Grace Pope, 81, peacefully passed away early Tuesday, June 27, 2017.
Celebration of Life—10:00 am, Friday, June 30, Bellevue Baptist Church, Hurst. Visitation: 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Thursday, June 29, Lucas Funeral Home, Hurst. Burial: 10:00 am, Saturday, July 1, Pope Family Cemetery
Grace was born December 30, 1935 in Fort Worth, the daughter of Elmer and Mary Swift. She grew up on farms around the Boyd and Azle Texas areas. Grace graduated from Azle High School in 1954 and then married Vernon Doyle Pope of Boyd in 1955. Vernon and Grace raised two sons together in Bedford, Texas until Vernon's death in 1975. Grace never moved from the house where they had raised their family together.
In 1970 Grace was instrumental in founding the Bellevue Baptist Child Development Center, where she had been a member since 1961. She was a director or caregiver at the Childhood Development Center for 33 years. It was her ministry to serve the children and their parents of the area. Three generations of families from the Mid-Cities knew her as "Ms Grace".
Following her retirement in 2003 Grace enjoyed travel, especially visiting her eldest son in Colorado. She helped raising her grandchildren, and serving her church friends in the DFW area.
Survivors: Son, Bob Pope and wife Shelly of Fort Collins, Colorado. Grandson Anthony Pope and granddaughter Emily Pope also of Fort Collins, Colorado. Son, Mark Pope and wife Joan of Fort Worth. Grandsons Jacob Pope of San Antonio, Joshua Pope of Bedford, and Zachary Pope of Fort Worth.