Julia Ann (Dunn) Humphries

Julia Humphries, 88, gave up her cross for her crown on November 17, 2022, at 8:58 am,
at Waterford Legacy Place, Kokomo, IN.
On May 8, 1934, Julia was born the eldest daughter of Aloysius and Viola Dunn in
Logansport, Indiana. She matriculated through St. Vincent intermediate schools and was
a 1952 graduate of Logansport High School. In May 1955, Julia received her medical
accreditation in Surgery from St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, Lafayette, IN. Julia was
the only African American female graduate of her class before integration began.
Julia was employed as an Operating Room Tech and Scrub Nurse in Surgery departments
at both St. Joseph and Howard Community Hospitals, respectively, in Kokomo, IN. In
later years, she worked at Forest Park Nursing Home, Kokomo High School as a
Cafeteria Server, and as a dependable, loving babysitter for many children throughout the
years.
On January 12, 1957, she married Silas N. Humphries, Sr., and moved to Kokomo, IN.
She actively supported her husband in their business partnership with other family
members while owning and operating the Humphries 500. For several years, she was
also active in the Fireman’s Women’s Auxiliary during her husband’s tenure on the
Kokomo Fire Department.
Julia was a loving mother of their six children and is truly beloved by her children,
grandchildren, and great grandchildren. As a strong proponent of education, her
grandchildren knew that whenever they saw Granny, she would ask how their grades
were, and she expected a good report. She loved to tell everyone how proud she was of
all her children. One of her favorite pastimes was traveling to family graduations and
special events. She made a point to be at all of them. Julia enjoyed watching movies and
spending time with her grandchildren. Julia was a people person who never met a
stranger, and she showed great compassion and empathy to others. She freely shared
how grateful she was “just to be alive”.
In 1992, by the grace of God, Julia survived a series of brain aneurysms, regaining her
ability to walk and talk with physical therapy. Years later, she survived a car accident
which caused her right leg to be amputated above the knee. Julia learned to walk again,
this time, briefly with a prosthetic. In her later years, she lived and traveled
independently. It was a great testament to her strong body, praying spirit, and enduring
will. When she left Methodist Hospital, she was called “Miracle Woman.”
Julia was raised in the Catholic church, where she learned the fear of the Lord, and was
known for her disciplined prayer life. She would remember you in her “morning, noon &
night prayers”. She was an active member of St. Patrick Church for many years and
made many dedicated friends. She held offices in the Daughters of Isabella, the Ladies
Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus.

She received the Lord as her personal Savior after praying with her children and began
attending Grace Memorial Church of God in Christ. She later became a member of
Refreshing Springs Church of God in Christ where she was appointed as a Mother in the
church and became a part of the Women of Wisdom of the Women’s Department. She
loved all her friends and church families for accepting her with love and kindness.
She will be dearly missed by her surviving beloved:
Children: Darlene (Kenneth) Poulard, Silas (Vera) Humphries Jr., Kevin (Brenetta)
Humphries Sr., Charla (Kirt) Matthews, and Rhonda White;
Grandchildren: Lashawna (Cole) Harn, Dr. Latisha (Jonas) Williams, Kenneth Poulard
Jr., Leanna (Raphael) Adeola, Annah (Courtlon) Peters, Silas A. Humphries, Kevin
(Faith) Humphries Jr., Brenna Humphries, Shanice Matthews, Kirt Matthews Jr., Tristan
White, Tyler White, Tiffani White, and Trinity White;
Great-grandchildren: Julianna Harn, Joshua Harn, Skye Williams, Eli Williams,
Donovan Pittmon, Luke Adeola, Eric Adeola, Isaiah Humphries, and Avery Humphries;
and a myriad of nieces and nephews, and other family members whose birthdays and
special days she was known for remembering. She had a very sharp recall for dates and
numbers.
Julia was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Those who preceded her in
death include her second oldest daughter, Beatrice (John, surviving) Broadnax; her
parents, Aloysius Sr. and Viola Dunn; five brothers, Aloysius Jr. (Hattie, surviving),
Bernard, John (Mattie Jean, surviving), James, and Joseph (Deborah) Dunn; and three
sisters, Kathleen (Donald) Wynn, Mary Dunn, and Patricia (Michael) Smith.
We thank God for the blessed life of Mother Julia Ann Humphries.
Thank you to all who have rendered their condolences and gifts of love. We pray God
continually blesses you and your families for blessing ours during this time.

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