Catherine Fay (Allred) Poprik

Mrs. Catherine Fay Poprik, age 95, passed away peacefully at her home in Fayetteville, NC on Mother’s Day, May 14, 2023.

She was born in Burlington, NC on August 5, 1927, to the late Alvin Allred, Sr. and Catherine Noah Allred.

After graduating first in her class from E.M. Holt High School in Burlington in 1944, Fay enrolled in the Nashville General Hospital School of Nursing. During that time, she became engaged to Michael Poprik, Jr., who was attending US Army Air Corps Cadet Training at Elon College.  Following her graduation as a registered nurse, and the end of World War II,  Fay married Michael and relocated to the Pittsburgh, PA area.  Fay worked as a registered nurse and instructor in medical and surgical nursing at Montefiore Hospital while Michael attended the University of Pittsburgh and its Dental School.   

Following Michael’s graduation, Fay joined her husband in his career as a dentist with the US Army, and raised their four children at duty stations throughout the United States as well as in Japan and Germany. In all of their travels, she maintained a loving home environment and enriched her family by cultivating the unique opportunities presented at each of these locations.  After Michael’s retirement in 1984 from the Dental Corps at Ft. Bragg, Fay and her husband enjoyed over 30 years of family, friends and continued travels together.

She was predeceased by her loving husband of 66 years, Dr. Michael Poprik Jr., and dear grandson, David Poprik.

She is survived by her children, Michael Poprik III (Maryclare), Richard Poprik, Catherine Garcia (James) and Jeffrey Poprik (Karen). She was blessed with eight surviving grandchildren, Leslie Capelli (BJ), Adrienne Hodges (Jamie), Michael Poprik IV (Kate), Ashley Cox (Adam), Robert Kornegay (Alessandra), Jeffrey Kornegay (Harper), Joseph Kornegay (Chelsey), and Catherine Richnavsky (Alex), ten great-grandchildren, Olivia and Madeleine Hodges, Alexis and Michael Poprik V, Audriana and Liam Kornegay, Victoria Gilbert, Benjamin Richnavsky, Diana Cox, and Asa Kornegay, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brother Alvin Allred, Jr. (Jody), and sister Carol Apple (Leonard).

Fay will be remembered for her graciousness, hospitality, and the warmth with which she welcomed her family and friends. Fay is deeply mourned and will be dearly missed.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home.  A private graveside service will be conducted at a later date when Fay is laid to rest with her husband at Arlington National Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to www.jerniganwarren.com

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC 28301.

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