Samantha Lathers Pope

A celebration of life for Samantha Lathers Pope, 54, of Whitney, will be held at her brother’s home at 1611 E. Cherry Court, Cleburne, Texas 76031 beginning at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 20, 2025. Samantha believed in doing things “her way” and would not want a traditional service, therefore a time of celebration, where family and friends are encouraged to share good food, drinks, and fellowship where love, laughter and many stories will flow in her honor will be more fitting. Please take a moment to share your favorite photos and memories on her Facebook page, obituary page and at her celebration of life. For those who wish to contribute, please bring your favorite food dish, drink or dessert – although it is not a requirement to attend. The family would like to extend many heart-felt thanks to the many who have supported them at this time and throughout her journey - before and after receiving her double-lung transplant 7 years and 9 months ago. (Just another example of Samantha breaking the odds and doing things her way. She was told her new lungs would be viable for 7 years.) The outpouring of love for Samantha will never be forgotten. The family asks that you consider becoming an organ donor or donating your body to the Willed Body Program at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas or any other program close to your home, in her honor. Samantha was extremely grateful for the gift of transplanted lungs and was humbled that a family who had lost their loved one allowed her to live longer due to that loss.

Samantha Gail Lathers Pope passed away on Friday, August 29, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. She was born on July 9, 1971 in Cleburne, Texas. She married the love of her life, Todd Pope on May 21, 2001 in Cleburne, Texas. As she has said, she had to kiss many frogs to find her prince. Todd has truly been her prince. Samantha was of Christian faith. She worked as a Medical Billing Specialist for many years as well as running an in-home daycare center. Samantha was rarely idle. She kept busy working, tending to her home and plants, and taking care of her family. If you knew her, you knew her favorite titles were Mom and Mimi. Her family came before everything in her life. Samantha loved with a passion unlike anything else. If she loved you – you were loved with all that she had. It has been said by many that their lives are better for her being a part of it. She truly left a mark on those who were blessed to know her. Samantha was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoyed attending or listening to a variety of genres of music. She had a competitive spirit that made her a contender at any game she played. Samantha was outspoken and honest, you never had to guess what she thought or where you stood with her. She was a free-spirit, whose smile and laughter were contagious. Samantha will be greatly missed by the countless lives she touched and her memory will live on in each of them. She was preceded in death by her father, Willie Jowel “Bill” Lathers, II.; brother, Willie Jowel “Bilbo” Lathers, III.; and many other family members including her mother-in-law, Edith McKenzie and her husband, Jim; father-in-law, Roy Pope and his wife, Bridgette; and sister-in-law, Sherry Bielke.

Survivors include her husband, Todd Pope; daughter, Gina Lathers; son, Nikolas Campbell and his wife, Beth; grandchildren, Samarah, Kendrix, Mia, Marcus, Jr., Zeppelin, Cohen, and Bowie; mother, Linda Lathers; brother, Gene Lathers, Sr.; sister, Sabrina Ward and her husband, Kelly; brother-in-law, Randall Pope and his wife, Genya; nieces and nephews, Gloria Reeves, Gene Lathers, II., Willie Lathers, IV. and his wife, Sarah, Tawnia Lathers, Makayla Gabriel and her husband, Dustin, Joshua Ward, Mackenzie Pope, Randy Pope and his wife, Deanne, Devin Holden, and Derrick Bielke; 10 great nieces and nephews; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of other relatives and friends.