Staff
Our dedicated staff are here to provide support, compassion, and information to help you through your journey of grief and the celebration of your loved one’s life.
With our daily email messages of comfort and hope, you will feel the support of knowing we are here to walk with you through this inevitable journey of grief. Each email will include advice, stories and other thoughts to help you address the challenges that come when you experience the loss of a loved one.
Hubert D. Pope was born in Gold Rock, NC. He is a graduate of Southern Nash High School in Bailey, NC. Mr. Pope furthered his education at John Tyler Community College in Chester, Virginia where he received his degree in Funeral Service. In 2017, he earned the national distinction of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner. Mr. Pope diligently believes that faith, hard work, networking, and education are the keys to a successful future. He was always taught to reach back and pull forward; to reach down and pull up; and that, if you could not do those things, you were only in the way of someone who could. He is the proud parent of Jesslyn Pope.
Zelma P. Stith is a native of Halifax County, North Carolina. She and her husband, Major, reside in North Carolina. Mrs. Stith has two children, six grandchildren, and has reared her Special Needs nephew as her child. She is a member of the London Missionary Baptist Church. Mrs. Stith is a graduate of the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service of New York City. She is a Licensed Funeral Service Licensee in North Carolina, as well as Virginia. She enjoys cooking, reading and crocheting.
Jaleesa Powell, is a native of Newark, New Jersey. However, as a resident of North Carolina since a young girl, she enjoys the peaceful simplicity of country living, good southern food, music, family, and friends. Mrs. Powell graduated from Northampton High School East and later became a NC Licensed Cosmetologist. June 2017, Mrs. Powell joined the Corporation for National Community Service; serving as an AmeriCorps Vista member. During her one year of service, she was able to help build capacity for a local nonprofit organization and assisted impoverished community members grow their economic household income. While serving her community with honor, dignity, and pride; she decided to further her education by enrolling in Strayer University. She plans to obtain a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and is also a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. A true believer in the almighty God, she is grateful that God has given her the opportunity to mother six beautiful children; three which she birthed. Along with those children, came the man of her dreams whom she married in June of 2019. Mrs. Powell is strong willed and determined in nature. She believes that life is a storybook telling who we are, and if we have not made those around us eager to read the next page then we have not lived!
Karen C. Williams was born in Nashville, Norh Carolina. She married Michael Williams and relocated to Rocky Mount, North Carolina in 1985. They are proud parents of two children and two granddaugthers. Mrs. Williams graduated from Northern Nash Senior High and furthered her education at Chicago State University and N.C. Association School Business Officials. Mrs. Williams has been employed with Nash Rocky Mount School System since 1994 and H.D. Pope Funeral Home since 2012. She loves putting smiles on others faces, rather it be by saying kind words, hugs, surpise gifts, or simply sharing conversation.
Donnell Thomas is a life long resident of Roanoke Rapids, NC. He received his formal education from Weldon City Schools. Mr. Thomas was called into the Army in 1969, serving two years and nine months. While he was in the Army;he received extensive training in the Medical and Dental field. Mr. Thomas is now a retired railroad train conductor after 21 years of service with CSX Railroad. He has also been an Insurance Agent for the past 13 years and a Tahitian Noni Juice Distributor. He is a lifelong member of the NAACP and a member of Twilight Baptist Church, where he serves as a Treasurer and Trustee Chairman. He has enjoyed working in the insurance industry at H.D. Pope Funeral Home since 2002.
Paul M. Lee was born in Roanoke Rapids, NC to Pauline Lee and the late Paul Wilson Lee. He graduated from the former John Armstrong Chaloner High School. Mr. Lee served a 4-year tour of duty in the U.S. Navy, and was honorably discharged after serving a tour in Vietnam; traveling around the world one and one-half times. Mr. Lee attended Elizabeth City State University, where he graduated with a B.A. in Sociology/Pre Law. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He is also a member of First Baptist Church, Hodgestown, where he serves on the Board of Deacons. He has been with H. D. Pope Funeral Home since December of 2001.
Elder Kenneth Arrington is a native of Rocky Mount, NC. He is a 1996 graduate of Northern Nash Senior High School. He later graduated from Nash Community College and attended East Carolina University. He was formerly employed in the Wilson County Schools, and has been employed at H.D. Pope Funeral Home since July 2010. He began his Ministry in March 2004, and became an ordained Elder in June 2005. He believes the Funeral Home is not just another job, but it is Ministry. He values his relationship with God, and is daily inspired by his favorite scripture (Romans 8:28).
Agnes Jones Moody is a resident of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. She is a member of First Baptist Church in Hodgestown. She attended school at the former John Armstrong Chaloner High school and Elizabeth City State University where she received her B.S. Degree. She is a retiree of the Halifax County School System. Mrs. Moody has been with H.D. Pope Funeral Home since April of 2001. She says “Working at the Funeral Home gives me the opportunity to make a difference in a person’s life at one of their most difficult times.”
Diyrone Solomon was born in Enfield, NC. He is a graduate of Northwest High School in Littleton, NC. Mr.Solomon began his service with H.D. Pope Funeral Home in 2003; serving as a Representative and State Medical Examiner Transporter. He is employed with the Halifax County Sherriff Office as a School Resource Officer and Enfield Police Department as a Sergeant of Patrol. Mr.Solomon has been a Certified Law Enforcement Officer for the last eighteen years. He is a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church in Littleton, NC. He is married to Lisa L. Solomon and they have two children, Brian and Jamarah.
Angela Ward is a native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. She is a graduate of Rocky Mount Senior High. Mrs. Ward graduated from Western Carolina University receiving a B.A. in Child Development and family Relations. Having a love for children, she continued her education and received a Master’s Degree from North Carolina Central University in School Counseling. Being a believer that a person should be a lifelong learner, she continued her education and received a MSA in School Administration and Supervision. Mrs. Ward has been in education for over 21 years. She presently serves as a school administrator in the Nash Rocky Mount Public Schools. She is an active member of the Rocky Mount Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She is also a member of Truth Tabernacle Ministries. Mrs. Ward believes that she can do all things through Christ who strengthens her and it doesn’t matter where you come from or where you love, it’s what you do with what you have. She is married to Victor Ward, Sr. and a proud parent of Victor, Jr. and Kaelyn. She has been employed with H.D. Pope Funeral Home since 2009.
Edward Lee is a native of Halifax County and a graduate of Weldon High School class of 1995. He has two children, Travon and Quaneisha Smith. Mr. Lee has been employed with H.D. Pope Funeral Home for many years. He completed the Basic Law Enforcement Training at Halifax Community College under the Northampton County Sheriff Department as Deputy Sheriff. Prior to this accomplishment, he has been employed with U.S. Associates Security and Securitas Security remaining current in this role. Mr. Lee is a free-spirited person and enjoys playing the drums, basketball, and indulging in other family fun related activities.
Ernest Taylor is a native of Rocky Mount, NC and a graduate of Booker T. Washington Senior High School. He is married to Shirley P. Taylor and they have five children. He was the owner and operator of Taylor's Discount Shoes for many years. Mr. Taylor also retired from B. Klitzner and Sons after 30 years. He is currently the CEO of L.E.A.H., as well as a Representative of H.D. Pope Funeral Home. Mr. Taylor also has membership with Unity Lodge NO. 64 (Past Master), Rofelt Pasha NO 175, JW Moore Consistory, and serves as Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of Edgecombe County in Rocky Mount. Mr. Taylor is a Deacon at the Greater Mount Hermon Baptist Church and President of the Usher Ministry for over 35 years.
Lorraine High is a native of Gaston, NC who now resides in Roanoke Rapids, NC. She is currently employed at Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt, Virginia with eight years of service. Lorraine has been with H.D. Pope Funeral Home since 2014, and her love to serve the community has been a joy. Her Motto is “Live, Love, Laugh”.
Regina M. Turnage is a native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. She attends Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church; where she is a Youth Advisor, Choir member, and Media Department Assistant. Ms. Turnage obtained a BS degree in Family and Community Services from East Carolina University and is currently enrolled at Fayetteville Technical Community College pursuing a degree as a Funeral Service Licensee. She has been an employee of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for six years and an employee of HD Pope Funeral Home since 2015. Ms. Turnage is a Funeral Service Associate; performing various tasks during funeral services, visitations, and assisting Funeral Directors ensuring services are rendered as planned. During her free time, she enjoys shopping, cooking, swimming, singing and spending time with family and friends. Ms. Turnage enjoys being able to assist families during their most difficult time in life and serving others. Her motto in life: A person will never know how much you care until you show them you care.
Robin Manley is a native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. She is a 1979 graduate of Rocky Mount Senior High (Gryphons). Ms. Manley graduated from North Carolina Wesleyan College December, 2011, where she received a BA in Business Administration. She has been employed with Honeywell Aerospace since August 26, 1985. She hired in as a technician and was promoted in 2005 to management, where she supervises 35 employees. She is a member of Word Tabernacle Church, where her Pastor is the Rev. James D. Galliard.
Ms. Manley inherited her passion for the funeral business from her late father, Isaac D. Smith. She receives much pleasure in serving the community and giving back to the community. Her past time includes; grilling her famous chicken wings, listening to jazz, dancing and spending time with her loved ones.
Sophia Floyd is a native of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. She has been employed with the Farm Service Agency (USDA) in Halifax, NC for over 21 years and with H.D. Pope Funeral Home since 2003. Sophia is very compassionate about working with the public. She attends Daniels’ Chapel Baptist Church located in Enfield, NC.
Tarsch Silver Nicholson a native of Halifax County. Married to Adrian Nicholson; three children Adrianna, Tarshianna, Adrian Junior, and one grandson, Carson. She is employed with Nash Rocky Mount Schools and she attends Ivory Hill Baptist Church. She enjoys spending time with family, going to yard sales and couponing. My favorite quote is "Live well, Laugh often, Love much".
Theodore “T.J.” Daniel has been employed with H.D. Pope Funeral Home since 2001. TJ is well known and respected in the Roanoke Valley. He retired from the International Paper Company after 42 years of dedicated service. He serves as a Trustee at Wayman A.M.E. Church in Enfield, NC. TJ is also a 32nd Mason and Shriner, He resides in Roanoke Rapids, with his lovely wife, Pearl.
Willie Harrison has been with H.D. Pope Funeral Home for three years. He is always there to assist the funeral directors any way he can. Willie is known to be a professional profectionist and lives a modest private life. He is a graduate of Nash Technical Institution earning a degree in Architectual Drafting and Designs. In his spare time you will be sure to find him building and creating a beautiful masterpiece.