Pauline Copes Johnson, a respected community elder, historian and great-great-grandniece of legendary abolitionist Harriet Tubman, has died at the age of 98.
Her passing was announced on Dec. 8 by the Harriet Tubman Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Auburn, New York, where she was the oldest member and a revered matriarch.
Johnson’s life became closely intertwined with the legacy of her famous ancestor after she discovered her direct familial connection to Tubman later in life. From that moment on, she embraced the responsibility of preserving and sharing the story of “Aunt Harriet,” dedicating decades to educating the public about Tubman’s role in American history, the Underground Railroad, and the enduring struggle for freedom and justice.
In a tribute posted on social media, her church described her as “a treasured matriarch, a keeper of history, and a living witness to the legacy of faith, freedom, and resilience that she carried with dignity and grace.”
Beyond her role as a family historian, Johnson was a longtime notary public and a vocal advocate for recognizing Harriet Tubman’s place in the national narrative. She strongly supported efforts to replace President Andrew Jackson — a slaveowner — with Tubman on the U.S. $20 bill, arguing that American currency should reflect the values of freedom and resistance to oppression.
Johnson’s advocacy was rooted not in celebrity, but in stewardship. Friends and community members recall her as someone who saw history as a living responsibility — one that had to be protected, explained and passed on with care.
Her death marks the loss of a rare living link to one of the most iconic figures in American and African American history. While Tubman’s legacy has been widely celebrated in books, films and classrooms, Johnson provided something uniquely powerful: a personal, human connection to that history.
Funeral services for Pauline Copes Johnson are scheduled for Saturday, December 13, at the Harriet Tubman Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Auburn. Calling hours will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m., according to the church.
As communities in the United States and beyond continue to reckon with history, memory and justice, Johnson’s life stands as a reminder that preserving the past often depends on ordinary people who choose to carry extraordinary stories forward.
