Profile 2008
MARIMAN POPE AND KRISTINA MATTOX: Taxidermist passing the torch
By Trent Moore
In the 45 years that Mariman Pope has been in the taxidermy trade, he’s created quite a reputation for both himself, and his business.
Over the years, Pope has accrued numerous taxidermy trade awards, enough to almost entirely engulf a small wall in his home office. Pope’s most notable award was the Alabama Taxidermy Association Founder’s Award he received a few years back.
On top of the varied ribbons and trophies, Mariman Pope has also had a close hand in the founding of not only the Alabama Taxidermy Association in 1979, but also the National Taxidermy Association in 1971.
“Before those organizations, it was much harder for taxidermists to organize and swap techniques,” Pope said. Pope was also involved with the taxidermy done at the Cullman County Museum, located in the middle of town, across from Depot Park.
The business was founded over 45 years ago by Mariman Pope, who got involved in the taxidermy trade to make “some play money to go to Auburn football games,” he said with a laugh. The hobby of taxidermy stemmed from his professional career as a poultry pathologist dealing with disease control; or, to put it more simply, a “chicken doctor,” he added with a smile.
A personable staff, quality service, and reasonable prices has made Mariman Pope Taxidermy the one-stop shop for many Cullman residents who find themselves in need of taxidermy services. Recently, though, things have changed quite a bit at Mariman Pope Taxidermy. The reason for this is that Pope’s granddaughter, Kristina Mattox, is now taking over the old family business. Mattox has been working at her grandfather’s shop for close to three years, and Pope is now ready to pass the torch on to her.
“She has to run me out of the room sometimes when I see her doing something different from the way I did it, and I want to step in and do it myself,” Pope said laughing, while Mattox shook her head emphatically. The two seem to get along quite well, and Mattox said that she has learned quite a lot from her grandfather.
Mattox went on to say that their most popular task these days is, not surprisingly, deer mounts; but bobcats are making it a tight race in second place.
“Bobcats are the cool new thing these days. I suppose because you can do so many different things with them,” she said with a smile and a shrug.
Though Mattox has only been in the taxidermy trade for a handful of years, she is a quick learner, and has used the many things she picked up from her grandfather and from other avenues to give back to the organized taxidermy community by recently teaching a training course last year for the Alabama Taxidermy Association.
“Teaching that class shows just how respected she’s becoming in the industry in such a short time,” Pope said while proudly displaying the plaque Mattox received for her efforts.
Mattox’s handiwork has also garnered the Taxidermist’s Choice Best Life-Size Mammal Award, for the year 2007, which is quite an accomplishment, as well.
When asked what the most interesting animal she had worked on was, after a moment’s thought she assuredly said, “a skunk,” while shaking her head with a chuckle. Pope then chimed in, reminiscently, “For me it would probably be a 250-pound shark.”
As for the future, Mattox doesn’t intend on moving the operation from its current home at her grandfather’s residence. She does plan on making taxidermy her career, working at the family business full-time, where as Pope had kept it as more of a part-time side profession.
As far as a specific focus goes, Mattox said that where many taxidermists skew their eye toward mostly handling deer mounts, she is open to working on many animals.
“We’ll handle just about anything,” she said.
- Profile 2008
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UNSUNG HERO: James Bell
James Bell — better known as “Bubba” — is a custodian at Cullman Middle School. While his job at the school is important, it’s the way he interacts with the students and other staff members that makes him an Unsung Hero.
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UNSUNG HERO: James Bell
James Bell — better known as “Bubba” — is a custodian at Cullman Middle School. While his job at the school is important, it’s the way he interacts with the students and other staff members that makes him an Unsung Hero.
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UNSUNG HERO: Brenda Graham
The person who nominated her said, “I was always amazed at how she cared for all the children as if they were her own. She gave love and caring, and bought countless coats, shoes, toys and clothes out of her own money.”
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UNSUNG HERO: Martha Gutherie
Martha Gutherie retired from the Parkside Middle School lunch room two years ago. Since then, she has volunteered her time at the school to help children read. Teachers and students look forward to this Unsung Hero coming every Thursday to read with the kids.
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UNSUNG HERO: Marvin Key
Marvin Key began his career in education in 1952 at Meek School in Winston County. The next year he came to Cullman County to teach at Dowling Junior High. He retired in 1988 but continued to work until the beginning of this year at age 85.
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UNSUNG HERO: Dee Lawrence
Losing both her parents at such a young age gave her an extra ability to care for other people. She makes sure that anyone who crosses her path is taken care of.
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UNSUNG HERO: Billie Sue Persall
Love is best shown when someone gives of their time and energy. Anyone who helps others when they are sick, injured or moving into a new home is a special person.
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UNSUNG HERO: Cathy Pilgrim
The person who nominated Cathy Pilgrim as an Unsung Hero described her as “one of the most unselfish, caring and generous people I know.”
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UNSUNG HERO: Grace Walsh
Grace Walsh had a teaching career spanning more than 30 years, including a quarter century teaching art history at Jefferson State Community College.
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2008 DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN: Dr. Sylvia Morris
Holding two floppy-brim black hats, Dr. Sylvia Morris says proudly, “I made these hats for the community theater play, ‘Romeo & Juliet.’” Nearby her beloved cat, Jennifer, lies curled up in a soft chair, sunlight filtering through drawn curtains.
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MARIMAN POPE AND KRISTINA MATTOX: Taxidermist passing the torch
In the 45 years that Mariman Pope has been in the taxidermy trade, he’s created quite a reputation for both himself, and his business.
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