A beautiful baby girl was born at home to Hortense and Clinton Cope on October 11, 1941 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. They named her Almetrias LaVerne Cope. Though she was born during tempestuous times for our race, they were successfully able to keep the family safe and out of harm's way. That family eventually grew to include a total of four healthy, energetic, studious children that also had to help feed animals and grow food, tending various gardens in the family network, all while keeping their grades up and doing normal chores around the house. A very caring person, she was always a very hard worker.

She attended the public schools in Muskogee Graduating from Manual Training High in 1959, then went on to attend Langston University and Muskogee Practical Nursing School. She was always on the Honor Rolls and being ahead of her class, she was able to begin working as an LPN in 1961 at the Muskogee General Hospital even though she was in the Class of 1962. She also attended Connors State College and Bacone College 1979 - 1982, where she received an AA degree and her RN degree.

She was a big stickler for extolling the accomplishments of at least those around her with pride. No matter who you were, you were absolutely NEVER going to be allowed to deny someone their accomplishments, no matter how small you might have thought they were. Maybe due to the times she grew up in, but also due to the amazing things she, herself was able to accomplish. For example, she was the "1st" Black at least in Muskogee, to do several things, such as consistently finishing at the top or at least in the top few of her class, the 1st (and only) Black to work at Muskogee General Hospital for multiple years, as well as the 1 ^st "Negro" allowed to enroll in nursing classes as things were still segregated at that time. She was able to accomplish this all while still going ahead with living her life.

She united with Spencer Church at an early age, attending as often as possible in spite of all of her rigorous schedules throughout life and in 1959, she married Terrell Alex Humphrey, who preceded her in death and to this union, one daughter, was born. As life went on, two more daughters were born to her. She took care of one niece, who we call our "Special Sister", for the first four years of her life. She eventually earned the name "Big Mamma" as she became the beloved caretaker of multiple grandchildren.

She is predeceased by her older brother Earl Gene Cope, Sr., younger sister Hortense "Evon" Cope Potts and both parents. She is survived by younger brother, Cornelius Alfred "Cornel" Cope, Eldest daughter La Tanya "Monique" Humphrey Carr, second daughter Vicki Humphrey Render-Broom, youngest daughter LaToyia "Toy" Monica Owens Williams, Niece Natasha "Tasha" LaVonne Franklin, Grandchildren: Erika Tucker-Garrett, Antonio Hemphill, Cameron Hemphill, Diamond Justice-Thompson, Haven Williams, Great Grandchildren: Makiyah Tucker-McGinnis, Jasmyn Hemphill, Serenity Tucker, Aiden Hemphill, and Asia Hemphill, two remaining nieces from Elder brother, Earl Gene Cope, Sr.: Michelle Deneen Cope-Morris, Tonette Cope and their mother Margarete Nadine Cope, Grand Niece Symone Franklin and two Grand Nephews Demetrius Franklin, Sr. and Christopher Jones, Jr., great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews plus a huge host of other relatives and friends.

A Service of Memory will be conducted on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in Spencer Memorial United Methodist Church, 543 N. 7th St., Muskogee, OK, Interment will follow in Booker T. Washington Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, September 3, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

The family has been cared for by House of Winn Funeral Home-Muskogee.