Mr. Charles A. Pope, who celebrated his 96th birthday on June 10, 1971, may be the oldest active real estate broker in North Carolina. His three brothers, G. M. Pope, age 93, W. A. Pope, age 89, and M. B. Pope, age 86, joined him for the occasion.

Born in 1875 in a section of Orange County which later become Durham County, he has lived most of his life in Durham County, and he has been engaged in the real estate business there since 1928.

Mr. Pope remembers when Durham was a small town of about 2,000 people, with no paved streets. He drove his own automobile until he was 91 years of age.

This distinguished looking white haired gentleman considers honesty the most important factor in an individual life. His enthusiasm for the real estate business continues unabated and he is looking forward to the future.

One of Mr. Pope's sons, Charles A. Pope, Jr. is a licensed real estate broker in Durham.