Shanna Lea Humphrey: Salt of the Earth Birth Worker, Mother & Grandmother

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Shanna Lea Humphrey
November 25, 1965 – June 2, 2023

Shanna Lea Humphrey passed away on June 2, 2023 in the presence of her beloved children. Shanna was born in Fortuna, California on November 25th, 1965 to Lawrence and Veltha Coleman. The 5th born of 7 children, her siblings from oldest to youngest are Russell Coleman Sr., Roger Coleman Sr., Richard(Ricky) Coleman, Jacqueline(Jackie) Lipscomb, Sharon Walker, and Rebecca Coleman. 

Shanna spent a large majority of her life residing in the beautiful community of Humboldt County. She attended Alice Jewett, Casterlin Elementary, Fortuna South School, Miranda Junior High, and then South Fork High School. After high school, Shanna attended the nursing program at College of the Redwoods where she became a nurse’s assistant. Shanna then got a job at Jerald Phelps Hospital as a nurse’s assistant, where she found a love for birth work.

In the fall of 1985, Shanna married her first husband, Albert Scott, and they moved to the Phillips Ranch in Dos Rios California. Not long into their marriage, they welcomed their first child, Kendall, and moved to the Drury Ranch in Bell Springs California. Shortly after, in 1988, Shanna and Albert moved back to Casterlin Rd. where they welcomed their next two children, Austin and Rosston, in the home of Larry and Veltha. In 1990, Albert and Shanna moved to the Stewart Ranch where they had their last, Katie, in their home on the ranch. 

In 1995, Shanna moved to the ‘big red house’ in Blocksburg California where she would spend the rest of her life. She worked as a railroad maintenance worker for the Northwestern Pacific Railroad until she married her second husband, Frank Humphrey, in the summer of 1996. They welcomed their three children Kassandra(1996), Karlee(1998), and Levi(1999) in their home in Blocksburg. 

Shanna spent most of her life doing what she loved the most: raising kids, growing large gardens, and loving the Lord. Shanna loved to share her knowledge with people who were willing to learn. She ran a Bible Club at Alderpoint Church where she taught children about the Lord, and that filled her heart with so much joy. Shanna also taught family and many friends her love for living off the land. Whether it be canning, making pies, growing food, or even foraging wild plants for medicine: she had a tremendous amount of knowledge to share. One of Shanna’s greatest passions was birth work. She was truly honored to be at births, especially her grandkid’s births. She wasn’t just grandma, she was emotional, physical, and spiritual support all wrapped in her tiny body. She was ever so grateful to learn from and be supported by her dearest friend Carolyn Eldridge. Not only was Carolyn her midwife, friend, and teacher, she was her favorite ear to confide in, her warm place to go for hugs, and her strongest advocate. Shanna was truly grateful for the close friends she had like April Wilson, Calvin and Wendy Stewart, Carl Richardson, and Berle Murray. She treasured her time with April, working in her yard and spending countless hours talking about everything from God to gardening. Shanna’s vacation getaways were spent housesitting for Mark and April, with her good pal sweet Sadie Dog. Calvin and Wendy Stewart were irreplaceable to Shanna. If you asked Shanna what made her happiest, she would always say she was happiest being on the ranch with the sun on her face and dirt on her hands. She was always grateful for their tenderness and generosity. Carl Richardson had the effortless ability to make Shanna’s day with every visit or phone call. He was always beaming with joy as he spoke of his lovely wife Larissa and beautiful boys. Shanna loved hearing about Riggin and Rogan’s most recent endeavors and would relive the laughter every time she replayed their conversations. Berle Murray and his wife, Linda, were some of the most big-hearted people in Shanna’s life. They always made a point to remind Shanna just how wonderful of a job she did raising her kids. Their thoughtfulness, kindness, and unwavering faith filled her soul with love.

If you ever had the privilege of knowing Shanna Lea, then you know just how big her heart was. She never had a lot to give, but she always gave everything she had. A true people person and wonderful storyteller, Shanna had the ability to make you feel as though you were a part of her family. When you walked into her home, you were greeted with a warm hello and casual conversation of her love for the Lord. She never steered away from her faith and knew that it was her duty to teach others about God. Upon leaving, she made sure your belly was full and arms overflowing with garden goodies. Her generosity is something she will always be remembered by. 

Shanna Humphrey is preceded in death by her father Lawrence Colemen, brothers Russell Coleman Sr. and Roger Coleman Sr., and her sister Rebecca Coleman. Shanna is survived by her mother Veltha Coleman, sisters Jackie(Glenn) Lipscomb, Patty Coleman, Bonnie Coleman, Sharon(Kevin) Walker, Brother Ricky(Kelly) Coleman, her previous husbands Albert Scott and Frank Humphrey, her children Kendall(Danny), Austin(Logan), Rosston, Katie(Chad), Kassandra(Weston), Karlee, Levi(Lana) and grandchildren Kenden, George, Hayden, Ridge, Sage, Lane, Jasper, Addison, Silas, Dawson, Freya, and Benjamin. We would like to give special thanks to the many people who came to Shanna’s house in her final days to pray, share stories, and remind her just how much she was a loved and appreciated member of the community. A celebration of life will be held for Shanna Humphrey on August 5th, 2023 at the Blocksburg Town Hall at 1:00. This will be a potluck style event, so please bring your favorite dish and help us celebrate the life of an amazing woman.