Mary Pope

Mary Alice Ewing Pope



Mary Alice Ewing Pope, 92, left her earthly home to be with Jesus on October 22, 2012 at Terrace Ridge Assisted Living in Gastonia.

Mary Alice was born June 15, 1920 in Lincoln County, daughter of the late Oscar Harrison "Ben" Ewing and Anna Jane Reel Ewing.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Raymond Thomas Pope in 1973; a brother Harrison Ewing and a sister Clarine E Cline.

Survivors include her daughter, Gilda Dixon and husband Ron of Gastonia; two grandchildren, Sean Dixon and wife, Kim, of Gastonia, Marianna Lindberg and husband, Daniel, of Waxhaw, NC; four great grandchildren, Amanda and Jennifer Dixon and Jordyn and Mya Davis; Sisters Helen Beam and Christine Modlin of Lincolnton; nieces and nephews; special friends Jack and Jean Walker of Shelby.

Growing up in Lincoln County and graduating from Lincolnton High School; she was a proud member of the girls' basketball team. She also attended Sacred Heart and Gaston College.

She was baptized at Camp Creek becoming a devout Christian and lifetime Bible believing Baptist. Many years were spent teaching Sunday School, taking the youth on trips, working in Bible School and singing in her church choir. Her love of music allowed her to sing in the choir during the Billy Graham Crusade when it was held in Charlotte. At the time of her death she was a proud member of Parkwood Baptist Church in Gastonia.

Mary Alice was a Girl Scout leader at Camp Rotary and also organized and led a Girl Scout troop at the Orthopedic Hospital. She was publically acknowledged by receiving The Spindle City Award for the outstanding work with the girls who were confined to beds with limited movement.

She deeply enjoyed traveling including Europe, Canada, Hawaii and many states, but the SC beaches remained her favorite.

Numerous hobbies included working in her yard with her many flowers and plants, crafts, baking, reading, decorating and dancing. Basketball remained her favorite sport,and she looked forward each year to the NCAA playoffs, always pulling for Duke.

Found in her writings was the following quote about herself: "Her life was filled with love for her family, compassion for the condition of the world, and the plight of precious unborn children. The joy in her life came from caring for her grandchildren and giving to anyone in need."

The sunshine in her face and her sterling character will be missed by her family and all of those who were privileged to know her personally. She was greatly loved and appreciated.

A special thanks to Patti Lineberger, and the staff at Terrace Ridge for their awesome love and care during her stay while there. A special thank you goes to Scott Sutton for going above and beyond giving her the best care possible.

A Celebration of Life will be help at Parkwood Baptist Church on Thursday at 12 Noon with the Rev. Doctor M O Owens and Rev. David Belle Isle officiating. The family will receive friends

11:00 am-12:00 pm on Thursday at the church. A private inurnment will be at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Baptist Children's Home in Thomasville, NC; St Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, or Franklin Graham Evangelistic Association in Charlotte, NC.