Private family graveside services for Eva Brenda Rowena Gatewood Hubbard, 86, of Forest will be held at Hillsboro Baptist Church Cemetery in Hillsboro, MS. Rev. Tim Escue will officiate the service.

A native of the Lillian Community, Hubbard died at her Forest home surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, following an extended illness.

Hubbard worked for 40 years at the Forest Service Center Nutrition Site serving the elderly in the community and it was there that she made many friends.

She was a 1957 graduate of Harperville High School and attended East Central Junior College. She was an exceptionally talented athlete, excelling in basketball. Hubbard was a member of Forest Methodist Church.

She was always involved in her children’s lives through sports, Bible school, cheerleading, scouting, and school activities. Hubbard was well known for her painting and woodworking skills and enjoyed refinishing furniture. Later in her life, she enjoyed following her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s activities, particularly sports and music. Her grandchildren affectionately called her “Vam” after the eldest grandchild mispronounced her chosen grandmother name “Grammy.”

Survivors include her daughter Rowanna Pope of Deatsville, Ala. and son Mike Pope of Forest; granddaughters Brooke Craig (Michael) of Morton and Jessi Russell (Justin) of Forest; grandsons Brock Pope of Forest, Cole Pope (Amy) of Flowood, Ken Gordon (Dana) of Brandon, Kevin Gordon of Southaven; and 14 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Linda Gatewood Bassie (John) of Cleveland and 11 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Olive Clayton Jones and Rowan Malvin Gatewood; her first husband, Charles Pope, who died of leukemia early in their marriage; her second husband of 48 years, George Hubbard; sister Alma Austin Gatewood Breedlove; and by her daughter, Bonny Pope Gordon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Children’s Ministry at Forest Methodist Church at P.O. Box 68, Forest, MS 39074. Please write in memory of Brenda Hubbard in the check memo line.