Mrs. Rachel Minerva Smith Pope, 90 departed this life on Friday, January 20, 2023 at the Green Field Senior Living, Fredericksburg, VA.  She was born February 28, 1932 in Cape Charles, Virginia to the late Ella Belle Smith and Purely Anderson. She was the second eldest of six children.

Rachel was raised surrounded by a large and loving family.  She would laughingly remember her childhood and young adult
experiences with her grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was the "apple" of her grandfather's eye. Often
speaking of life's lessons, he instilled in her. Many of those adventures her grandfather taught her are now family folklores.

Rachel was a virtuous woman with a "can do" attitude that was displayed throughout her life. From her childhood to adulthood,
she always turned every challenge into an opportunity. Her spirit of excellence magnetically attracted those to her that she would mentor
and serve with the love of God

.
Rachel relocated to Washington, DC in 1960 and retired from the Washington Navy Yard after 31 years of service. She was blessed
to be one of the first black managers during her career. Rachel was actively involved in her local church, the Jericho City of Praise, where
she willingly served on the Comfort Ministry. After retirement, she began working at Association of Communities Organized for Reform
Now (ACORN) where her many gifting and talents could be show cased.

Rachel's ministry of helping has extended beyond walls into various states to speak out for the betterment of others. She was a
resident at the Greenfield Senior Living and lived out the remainder of her life in the facility. Rachel was married to the late Sonny Pope.

She leaves loving memories of her life to her three children: Otis (Francis), Donnie (Elaine), and Nicole (Michael); grandmother to
Deon, Brian, Jason, Ryan, and Antwan; and memories to all who came to know and love her. Her motherly advice, Godly counsel, and
wisdom of God. Will profoundly echo in the lives of everyone she encountered.