John Eugene Pope, ??Buddy?, age 89, of Lumberton, died on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton. He was born in Marlboro, SC on December 7, 1922 to the late John Robert Pope and the late Ethel Colie Pope. He worked for the NC Department of Transportation.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Earnestine Bass Pope; a son, Billy Johnson; a brother, Cecil Pope; and a sister, Elizabeth Herndon Schofield.

Mr. Pope is survived by a son, Milton Pope and wife, Nancy, of Lumberton; two daughters, Nell Westbury and husband, Jeff, of Harleyville, SC and Geraldine Lamb and husband, Chris, of Garner; a sister, Kathleen Turner of Fairmont; ten grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. He was greatly loved by all his nieces and nephews and special caregiver, Jimmy Revels.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2012 at 2:00 PM at Floyd Memorial Chapel with Rev. Tony Stevens officiating. Burial will follow in Meadowbrook Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2012 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Floyd Mortuary & Crematory, Inc., 809 E. 5th Street in Lumberton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer??s Association Eastern NC Chapter, 1305 Navaho Drive, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27609.