Gladys Duncan Pope, a life-long resident of West Point, MS, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 29, 2021, at the age of 98. She was the last remaining child of Ethel Mae Young Duncan and Othel Duncan. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Minnie Alice Duncan Israel and Callie Elizabeth Duncan Taylor, and her brothers, Cecil Wayne Duncan and O.D. Duncan.
She was known as Aunt Gladys by her many nieces and nephews. Gladys worked her entire life. She grew up in the old Cotton Mill Village in West Point, and worked in the mill as a child. Gladys was an accomplished seamstress and was employed by Knickerbocker Manufacturing until it closed. She worked at Bryan Foods, as well as several companies in Columbus with the last being many years spent at Beneke. Gladys was a lady who saved, was conscientious, and generous to those in need. Gladys loved to garden and was known for having over 200 pots of blooming flowers hanging from the limbs of the trees in her yard. She was a faithful Christian woman calling West End Baptist Church her home. Gladys was always one of the first to have a casserole or dessert on someone's doorstep when needed. She was much renowned for her "Creme de Banana Cake", cabbage casserole, and homemade pear honey.
She was loved by all and will be missed. Gladys Pope lived independently in her own home until January 6, 2021. A special thank you to Waverly Care Home in West Point for providing a loving place for the final 3 months of her life. Her wish and ultimate gift to this earthly world was to donate her body to The University of Mississippi Medical school for research and learning.
The family will host a celebration of life on a date to be announced. She specifically requested no flowers. Any remembrance should be made in her memory to Palmer Children's Home in Columbus, MS or West End Baptist Church in West Point, MS.
