Monday, August 6, 2012 11:06 am

Joan Tomblin Pope passed away on Friday, August 3, 2012 at Cleveland Regional Medical Center.  A native of Rutherford County she was the daughter of the late Flaye Theodore and Adele Hamrick Tomblin.  She was also preceded in death by her loving husband Bobby Reid Pope.  Joan was previously employed as a preschool teacher at Rainbow Connection.  Before that she and her husband were self-employed at Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  She was a lifelong member of Elizabeth Baptist Church where she taught youth for many years and served in various positions throughout her membership.

Joan is survived by her daughter, Teresa Smith and husband Eddie of Shelby; her son, Greg Pope and wife Lynn of Hendersonville; grandchildren, Amanda Smith of Chapel Hill, Elizabeth Smith of Shelby, Caroline Pope of Hendersonville; sisters, Diane Ross and husband Roger of Shelby, Pat Arrowood and husband Bruce of Greer, SC; brothers, James Tomblin and wife Karen of Greenville, SC, Larry “Bob” Tomblin and wife Betty Jo of Rutherfordton; and many loving nephews and nieces.

A celebration of life service will be held at 3:00pm on Sunday, August 5, 2012 at Elizabeth Baptist Church.  The Rev. Jeff Brendle will be officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 3:00pm in the sanctuary prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Cleveland County Palliative Care, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC, 28150 or Elizabeth Baptist Church, 301 N. Post Road, Shelby, NC 28150.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mrs. Pope.