July 7, 2025
Mary Bell Pope, 81, of Ashland, Ky died Thursday, July 3, 2025 at Woodland Oaks Health Care Facility. She was born March 22, 1944 in Boyd County, Ky a daughter of the late Lincoln “Dub” and Betty Clark Kouns, Sr. She retired from Gibb’s Hardware Store as a Clerk. She was a member of Ashland Heights Wesleyan Church. She is preceded in death in addition to her parents by a brother Johnny Kouns and two brothers-in-law Tom Payne and Ike Blevins. She is survived by her loving husband James "Jim" Pope, four children Christi Wolfe, Scott (Robin) Lagore, Denise Moore, and Misty Alley, three stepchildren Larry (Debbie) Pope, Steve (Lynn) Pope, and Donna (Bill) Owens, two brothers Junior (Bonnie) Kouns and Rockey (Dianne) Kouns, six sisters Sharon Worley, Karen Huffman, Carrie Payne, Becky (Rick) Francis, Barb Blevins, and Robin Collins, seven grandchildren Mike, Brett, Mariah, Tyler, Cody, Chuck, and Jeremy, and nine great-grandchildren with one on the way. A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the Ashland Heights Wesleyan Church, at 2271 Sellars St. Ashland, Ky 41101, with a luncheon to follow. Lazear Funeral Home is both honored and privileged to have been entrusted with the care of Mrs. Pope.