Carolyn is a true Englewood native, raised in her grandparents’ house in Englewood, right next door to Lemon Bay Fisheries and Seafood Market, which was owned by her grandparents, Stuart and Starr Anderson.
Life took a turn when she got into skydiving. That’s how she met Larry, her instructor, and soon enough, her husband. Atlanta winters didn’t suit them at all, so in 1977 Carolyn and Larry packed up, headed back to sunny Englewood where they had two children, Kristin and Brian.
Carolyn took a job with an insurance agency, and she never looked back. Insurance turned out to be a perfect match for her background in education and her desire to help people. These days, Carolyn and Brian own Pope Insurance Agency, and together, they’re proud to serve their community.
- What is your idea of perfect happiness? Prior to Hurricane Milton, it would be beach, boat, and water time…. Quiet and sunny, not too hot, with a gentle breeze, floating on or in the water, sitting on the sand, where everything in the world feels right! Now…. It is being back in my home, peacefully enjoying my family and my life in my own surroundings.
- What is your greatest fear? I do not live in fear, but the closest thing I can think of is that I do not want to drown. I hear that is a peaceful, easy way to go, but I do not want it!
- What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Negative self-talk. I try to nip it in the bud!
- What is the trait you most deplore in others? I feel badly when I see people stuck in their own downward spiral of victimization, where everything is “someone else’s fault.”
- What is your greatest extravagance? Travel. I love it! New adventures, food, and seeing God’s beautiful world.
This Englewood Examiner profile appeared in the Englewood REVIEW print edition, published February 13, 2026. Every edition, Englewood REVIEW spotlights someone who stands out in the community. We ask each person to tackle The Proust Questionnaire; a classic set of questions created by Marcel Proust, the French writer. If you know of anyone who you would like to see featured in the Englewood Examiner, please email at michele@englewoodreview.com.
