Mary Idella Smith Cope, 94, of Ridgeland, SC passed away Sunday June 28, 2020. Ms. Mary was born on August 6, 1925 in Ridgeland to the late Mr. and Mrs. Shannon and Beulah Altman Smith.
Mary moved to Ludowici, GA with her family when she was five years old and spent her school years there. She is a graduate of Ludowici High school, Class of 1943.
After graduating, Ms. Mary worked at Fort Stewart Military Base in Savannah, GA until she joined the United States Navy in 1945 and served as a Seaman First Class until WWII ended. When she returned home, Ms. Cope was employed by the Central Carolina Phone Company, in Ridgeland, as a phone operator from 1946-1951. While working for the phone company, she found time to train and receive her private pilot’s license in 1948, at the Ridgeland Airport. After leaving the phone company she worked for Jasper Motors for five years. In 1976, she took a position with Palmetto Electric Cooperative until she retired in 1991, as an office manager. After retirement Ms. Mary continued working, first; for Great Swamp Baptist Church for eight years, and then Holy Trinity Episcopal Church for five years. She was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves baseball team. “MiMi” was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and one who always put others first.
Left to cherish her memories are one daughter, Joyce Pope (Earl), two grandchildren, Christy Bayne (Lew), Earl Pope Jr (Anna), seven great grandchildren, Dustin Slowik, Chandler Drew (Roxy), Hunter Drew, Reaganne Drew, Skylar Pope, Wyatt Pope, and Cooper Pope.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 in Great Swamp Baptist Church Cemetery, 9009 Tarboro Road, Ridgeland, SC at 11:00 am.
Memorial donations may be made to Great Swamp Baptist Church, general fund, PO Box 446, Ridgeland, SC 29936.
Those attending the service are asked to practice social distancing guidelines.
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