We are family. 

John Willis Pope (son of Janie Pope) and Leatrice Hightower (daughter of James Henry Hightower & Elizabeth Womack Hightower) married on July 12, 1943.  To this union, eight children were born (six boys and two girls).  The girls were book ends, they were the first and last children born to the couple.  John (affectionately known as Pappi) and Leatrice (simply dubbed Mrs. Lea) lived a simple life and opened their home to many.  They didn’t have much but all they had they were willing to share with whoever needed it.  Leatrice, for the most part, was a homemaker but often worked as a babysitter when someone needed one.  Regardless of what she was doing, she made sure Pappi had three meals a day.  And if you were lucky, you could stop in on Sunday and you too could catch dinner with a good homemade dessert.  Even though nothing was planned, the family seemed to have many impromptu gatherings at the home of John and Leatrice.  We have since restarted these gatherings by way of our reunions now.  We hope to continue this tradition and continue building our legacy.  Many family members (including John, Leatrice, and five of their children) have passed on but each of them leaves behind a child, cousin, or other relative to continue carrying the torch.  It is the reunion committee's hope that as the generations continue to age the younger family will jump in and take over the reunions.  Our story continues to be written, remember to keep us abreast of the growth, transformations, and etc. as they come along.