Descendant of Harriet Tubman, Pauline Copes Johnson, Dies at 98

Pauline Copes Johnson, a proud great-great-grandniece of Harriet Tubman and longtime Auburn resident, has died at the age of 98. Her passing was announced by the Harriet Tubman Memorial A.M.E Zion Church, which described her as a cherished matriarch and guardian of family and community history.

As the congregation’s oldest member, Johnson was deeply connected to the church that honors the legacy of her famous ancestor. The church highlighted her role as a living link to the past, preserving the stories and values of her lineage.

Born on August 23, 1927, Johnson graduated from West High School in 1945. She worked for New York Telephone as an operator and later served as a secretary for Red Star Express Lines. She and her husband, the late Chauncey Johnson Sr., raised 12 children together.

Johnson discovered her connection to Harriet Tubman at the age of 25, a revelation she described as one of the great honors of her life. From that point forward, she embraced the role of family historian, affectionately calling Tubman “Aunt Harriet.”

Over the years, she represented Tubman’s descendants at Auburn City Council meetings, accepted proclamations marking Harriet Tubman Day, and received several honors. Among them were the Auburn/Cayuga NAACP’s Martin Luther King Jr. Millennium Award in 2010 and recognition as one of the New York State Senate’s Women of Distinction in 2017.

In a statement, her church expressed deep sorrow at her passing, calling her “a treasured matriarch” whose life reflected courage, faith, and service. They asked the community to keep her family in their prayers and shared a verse of comfort: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” – Psalm 116:15

Johnson’s life and legacy serve as a testament to the enduring impact of faith, family, and service. Her story reflects the values of community and remembrance, echoing the call to honor and preserve the past.

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