Our hearts are heavy today. Family, friends and fans gathered to say a final farewell to Charles Pope — beloved father of Tameka “Tiny” Harris and a founding member of the legendary Atlanta group The Tams — and in one of the most moving moments of the homegoing service, KeKe Wyatt stood and sang “When I See Jesus” over the room.
Mr. Pope passed away on July 11 at the age of 76, after a long and brave battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Long before the world came to know his daughter as Tiny of Xscape, Charles Pope was making his own mark on music history with The Tams, the Atlanta vocal group behind timeless favorites like “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy” and “What Kind of Fool (Do You Think I Am).” Music was quite literally in this family’s blood.
That is what made KeKe’s tribute so fitting. KeKe and Tiny are sisters in song — both blessed with once-in-a-generation voices — and as she lifted “When I See Jesus” through the sanctuary, there was barely a dry eye to be found. Every note carried the promise at the heart of the song: that this goodbye is not the end, and that one sweet day, we will see our loved ones again.
Moments like this one remind us what the Atlanta music family is truly about. Behind the hits, the shows and the headlines, these are real families who show up for one another — and KeKe showed up in the best way she knows how, using the gift God gave her to comfort a grieving friend and honor a father’s memory.
FreddyO extends our deepest condolences to Tiny, to her mother Dianne, and to the entire Pope and Harris family. Mr. Pope, your voice helped build the soundtrack of a generation, and your legacy lives on in every song your family sings. Rest in peace. Press play above to witness KeKe’s beautiful tribute, and please keep this family lifted in your prayers.
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