Anna Mae Pope, 91, Springfield, passed away on Monday, February 2, 2009, in Wilshire at Lakewood nursing home, Lee's Summit, Missouri. Anna Mae was born September 19, 1917, in Bolivar, Mo., to Josie and Edward Kukal. Anna Mae attended Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar, Mo., and received her bachelors degree in education from Southwest Missouri State University. Anna Mae started her teaching career at the age of 19. She taught in a one-room school house grades K-8. She taught, did the custodial work and started the fire each day for $25 a month. Her career, spanning more than 30 years included teaching at Cooper, Ruyan, and Ronda Schools in Polk County. She continued teaching in Hermitage, Wheatland, Weaubleau, Malta Bend and Humansville from 1942 to 1962. One of her favorite memories was coaching the Hermitage girls basketball team. She came to Springfield with her husband, Edde Ben Pope, in 1962, where she taught math at Jarret Junior High and retired teaching math at Pershing Junior High. Her greatest joy was hearing from former students and watching them attain their life goals. On September 13, 1942, Anna Mae married Edde Ben Pope. During their 53 years together they contributed much to education and the youth of Missouri. Anna Mae never met a stranger. She had many dear friends whom she spoke of often. She will be remembered for her love and kindness to others, her years of entertaining friends, and her famous poppy seed bread. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Springfield, Delta Kapa Gamma, Kappa Kappa Iota, Life Member-Missouri Teacher's Association-MSTA, Springfield Retired Teacher's Association, Battlefield Mall Walkers and Red Hat Society. She is survived by her daughter, Beverly Leonard, Blue Springs, Mo.; son-in-law Jim Leonard, Blue Springs, Mo.; granddaughters, Jennifer Leonard, Lee's Summit, Mo., and Jamie Young and husband, Aaron Young, Kansas City, Mo.; brother John Leonard Kukal and wife, Atilee Kukal, Bolivar; and nieces, Pat McKune, San Diego, Calif., Linda Rice, Bolivar, Mo., and Kathy Galivan, Bolivar, Mo. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Edde Ben Pope; and sister Leona Kukal. Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. Friday, February 6, 2009, in Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel, with Rev. Michael Overton officiating. Burial will follow in Hazelwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions my be made to Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, 1055 Broadway, Suite 130, Kansas City, Mo.