Rebecca Humphrey

Rebecca Byerly Humphrey, age 66, of Erie, passed away on Thursday January 4, 2024 after a courageous battle against cancer.  She was born on August 19, 1957, in Corpus Christi, TX, the daughter of Diana and the late Robert Byerly.  She was raised by her mother and her late stepfather Raymond Coy.

Becky surrounded her family with love.   In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband of 35 years, Dr. Mitchell Humphrey, and their boys, Walker of Erie and William of New York City. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Dr. Jim Humphrey, cousins Roxanne Balitz of Corpus Christi, Tx and Pamela Sewell of Murphy, TX and several nieces and nephews, as well as many friends whom she considered family.

Becky graduated from Mary Carroll High School in Corpus Christi, TX and Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, TX with a degree in communications.  She was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority while there.   She then obtained her Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law in Houston, TX, where she served on the Law Review and clerked for the law firm of Vinson and Elkins.

While working in Houston, Becky met her husband, Mitch.   They spent 10 years in Texas before moving to Erie in 1995. 

Becky was an extraordinary lawyer.  In private practice with San Antonio’s premier law firm, Groce, Locke & Hebdon, Becky handled complex family law cases.  She always treated her clients with compassion and grace.  She used her trademark humor and infectious laugh to ease the tension in those cases but was as fierce as they come defending her clients in court.  After Groce Locke, she practiced with attorney Bill Ford in San Antonio, and then with the Bexar County District Attorney as an assistant prosecutor.  In each of these offices, Becky accumulated lifelong friends with whom she remained incredibly close.

Her legal career in Pennsylvania was focused on government service, first as Court Solicitor for the Erie County Court of Common Pleas, then as a career law clerk for the United States District Court, and finally as Deputy Court Administrator for the Erie County Court of Common Pleas until her retirement in August of 2022.

Becky was a life-long learner – from knitting and cooking to cards and distilling whiskey -- and she brought her friends and family along on her adventures. She loved to travel and took great joy in researching and planning trips, including annual vacations with her high school girlfriends.  She spent most of her fall weekends enjoying Penn State football, both from the stadium and from home. In quieter moments, Becky loved reading, especially the Sunday New York Times, and sipping cocktails (always perfectly garnished and presented) with Mitch and their many friends on their back porch or in front of the fireplace.

Becky will be missed for her fierce devotion and loyalty to her family and friends.

Friends are invited to call on the family on Saturday, January 13, 2024, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant parlor, 250 W. 7^th St., Erie, PA 16501.   A funeral service will follow in the church’s sanctuary at 12 p.m., with Rev. Gregg Townsend officiating and will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/BurtonQuinnScott/. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, First Presbyterian Church, 25 W. Main St., North East, PA 16428 or Brevillier Village, 5416 E. Lake Rd., Erie, PA  16511.

Send condolences at www.BurtonQuinnScott.com.