Pauline M. Copes-Johnson

Pauline M. Copes-Johnson, 98, of Auburn passed away on Monday December 8, 2025 at home with family by her side. She was born on August 23, 1927 in Auburn, NY to the late Guy and Jeanette Gaskins Copes. She was the great great grandniece of Aunt Harriet Tubman. Pauline was a member of the Harriet Tubman A.M.E. Zion Church in Auburn where she held the office of church clerk, trustee and steward boards emeritus. She played the piano on some Sundays and has played for over 70 years.

Pauline attended public schools in Auburn and took various courses at the community college. She was the first African American telephone operator in the Auburn Cayuga County area. She worked at several companies, the most noted one is USF Red Star Express Lines where she worked in the office for 20 years of service.

She has been to Africa and numerous places in the United States. She traveled for lectures to speak on the life of Harriet Tubman to “keep her name alive” as she would say. She also volunteered at the Harriet Tubman home when needed. She was a member of the Harriet Tubman Boosters, NAACP, Seniors of the Booker T Washington Community Center.

Her family loves and respects her and is pleased and grateful for all she accomplished in life.

She is survived by: sons, Chauncey M. Johnson, Jr., Gareth “Gary” L. Johnson, Duane N. Johnson Sr., daughters: Marcella Johnson, Deidre M. Stanford, Maxine Wilson, Ursula J. Johnson, Karen L. Walker, Noreen Johnson, Cheryl Johnson-Ford, Paulette F. Johnson. Host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents Pauline was predeceased by her husband, Chauncey M. Johnson, Sr., her daughter Vivian D. Johnson.

There will be visitation at 9AM to 11AM on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Harriet Tubman Memorial AME Zion Church, 90 Franklin Street, Auburn, NY with a home going service to follow at 11AM. Burial will be at Fort Hill Cemetery, Auburn. 

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