Mary Pearl Pope

Mary Pearl Pope, born Mary Pearl Coleman, entered this world on December 26, 1942, in Jefferson, Alabama. She was the beloved daughter of Lucy Coleman and Nathan Jones Sr. She graduated from John Essex High School in Demopolis, AL, in 1961 and later moved to Dayton, Ohio, where she joined her older brother and sister, Arthur Coleman and Queen Esther Wood.

Mary Pearl was a woman of deep faith, unwavering strength, and joyful spirit. She dedicated her life to Jesus Christ and loved attending church. She first joined McKinley United Methodist Church and later became a devoted member of St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church, where she remained faithfully until her passing.

A proud retiree of General Motors, Mary worked diligently for 32 years before retiring in 1999. Beyond her career, she was known for her green thumb and her cherished garden, her love of crossword puzzles, and her passion for bowling. But above all, Mary Pearl was known for her love—freely given, deeply rooted, and never withheld. She had a way of making everyone feel like family. She cooked for everyone, even strangers, with the same warmth and care she gave her own.

Mary was under the tender care of Hospice of Dayton when she passed away. On March 19, 2025, at 2:35 am, with her son’s hand in her own, Mary Pearl peacefully transitioned to be with the Lord. She was 82 years old.

Mary Pearl was preceded in death by her loving mother, Lucy G. Hosea; father, Nathan Jones Sr.; husband, William E. Pope; son, John Coleman; grandson, D’Angelo Coleman-Boyd; sisters, Queen Esther Wood, Mary Carmen, and Eula Jones; brothers, Arthur Coleman, Nathan Jones Jr., Steve Jones, Eddie Jones; special aunt, Hattie Grimes; and special nephew, James T. Wood.

She leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love, faith, and family. Cherishing her memory are her devoted son, Mark Coleman Sr.; brothers, Rolax (Barbara) Jones of Rogersville, TN, Jerry (Vivian) Jones of Ypsilanti, MI, James Jones of Silver Springs, MD, David (Dewanna) Jones of Kingsport, TN, Bobby Jones of Kingsport, TN; sisters, Ann (Paul) London of Waldorf, MD, Clara Lewis of Upper Marlboro, MD; special cousins, Deloris Smith, Mary Jones, Diane Hill; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Mary Pearl also shared a unique and tender love with her goddaughter Florence Morgan; her treasured friends Elizabeth Hill, Ruth Moore, Loraine White, Eloise David, Bessie Daniels, Sherry Rutledge, Carla Davis, Louise Barbie; her special nephew Saheed Jordan; and her “daughters by heart,” Andrea Simmons, Djona Hall, Krystal Coleman, Betty Thorpe, Julia Boyd, and Donna Ruby.

She was the definition of class and strength—loving, fearless, caring, bubbly, dramatic, and witty. She met no stranger. Her laughter filled rooms. Her love healed hearts. And her life pointed to Christ.

As we mourn her passing, we also rejoice in knowing she is now at peace in the arms of her Savior, in the mansion prepared for her, just as Jesus promised in John 14:2-3:
 “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Our Mary Pearl. Our Granny. Our Auntie Mary. Our sister. Our matriarch.
 Job well done, good and faithful servant.

Funeral service 11 am Thursday, March 27, 2025 at House of Wheat Funeral Home, 2107 N. Gettysburg Ave., Dayton, OH. Visitation 9 am- 11 am. Family will receive friends 10 am- 11 am. Interment West Memory Gardens.

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