Shirlene Pope

Shirlene Hayden Pope, age 81 of Louisville, Kentucky passed away on Saturday, February 14, 2026. Shirlene was born on July 2, 1944 to the late Jeffers and Naomi Schaefer Hayden. She was one of six children. Shirlene attended Lincoln Institute in Shelbyville, Kentucky. She was employed at Brown and Williamson. She was joined in Holy Matrimony to James Harrison Pope, Jr. She lived a life rooted in strength, laughter and sass. Shirlene was a mother to many and beloved by all. She was also a foster parent for 12 years, but a caretaker to all. To know her was to know her cooking and that she was rarely at a loss for words. Her home was always open and warm. Those of us who survive her carry the legacy of her servitude, laughter and sass.

In addition to her parents, Shirlene is preceded in death by her son, James Milton Hayden; and her siblings, Jeffers Willie Hayden, Emma Jean Powers, Lillian Pope and Kenneth Hayden.

Shirlene is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, James Harrison Pope, Jr.; her three children, Norman Lee Payne, Natalie Charise Walker and Tracy Michelle Pope; 8 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; siblings, Ruth Gillespie; many nieces and nephews; and extended relatives and a host of friends.

Visitation will be from 10am to 12pm on Friday, February 27, 2026 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals and Receptions, East Louisville Chapel, 235 Juneau Drive, Louisville, Kentucky 40243. A celebration of Shirlene's life will follow at 12pm there. Burial will be at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central, 2501 North Dixie Highway, Radcliff, Kentucky 40160 after the service, to meet at their administration building at 2:15pm.

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