Sunne Lynn Cope

Born in Pasadena, Texas, to Leard Wayne Cope and Edyth Louise Larson Cope, Sunne grew up curious about the world and ready to explore it. She graduated from Pasadena High School and went on to Stephen F. Austin State University, where she studied History and Journalism, perfect fields for someone who loved stories, ideas, and lively conversation.

Sunne’s life took her far beyond Texas. After college, she moved to Virginia to work for Xerox and later to Manhattan, where she worked with CitiGroup and built a successful career as a Certified Financial Planner and investment banker, advising clients with significant wealth. She had a brilliant mind for finance, but she never let numbers get in the way of enjoying life.

Along the way, she also lived in Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles, happily collecting experiences on both coasts. Sunne won many accolades during her life, from district Spelling Bees in elementary school to Editor of the yearbook in college, employee of the year numerous times at Xerox, and finally Vice President of CitiBank CitiGroup, where she was the highest-ranking woman of a Fortune 500 company at the time.

Sunne had a love of traveling, which began while working and continued till her final years. She believed the world was meant to be savored. Italy was one of her favorite places, especially the piazzas of Florence, where she could happily sit for hours people-watching, soaking in the beauty, and imagining she might never leave. She also loved France, and she and her sister Joni shared a long-standing plan that someday, when the time was right, they would be two tottering old ladies in Paris drinking wine, enjoying art, and happily people-watching together. True to her adventurous spirit, she loved to explore, but she had no sense of direction, which only made each trip more of an adventure.

After retiring, Sunne returned to Texas and settled in Deer Park, where she married the love of her life, Stan Garrett. She was his “Sunshine.” Their marriage was filled with laughter, companionship, amazing trips, and the joy of sharing everyday life together.

Sunne loved the arts, plays, music, and especially the piano. She could sit down and play a familiar tune or just as easily make one up on the spot. She loved books, lively conversation, and any opportunity to laugh. She truly never met a stranger, and a quick trip to the store often turned into a full conversation with someone she had just met who was now her close friend.

Friends often thought of the song “Sunny” when they thought of her, because Sunne had a gift for making ordinary days feel a little brighter.

Being an aunt was one of her favorite roles. She adored her nieces and nephews and delighted in their lives. She made sure to have special time with them that included taking them to Broadway Plays in New York and surfing in LA. In later years, she also loved spending time with her great-nephews and step-granddaughter, who brought her endless joy.

Sunne was preceded in death by her parents, Leard Wayne Cope and Edyth Louise Larson Cope, her husband, Stan Garrett, her niece, Jackie Birdwell, and her nephew, Rhett Birdwell.

She leaves behind her sisters Carol Frankson and Joni Cope, nieces Rebekah Birdwell and husband Tony Stein, and Raegan Seaton and husband John Seaton, nephew Cody Frankson and wife Monica Frankson, and great-nephews Joshua and James Seaton, and Logan Medima, who was a great-nephew in every way that mattered.

A special thank you to her wonderful caregivers: Kristy, Keely, Norrsheland, and all the hospice workers whose care and kindness made her days brighter.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethel Baptist Church in Deer Park, Texas, or the National MS Society.

True to her name, Sunne left sunshine wherever she went, and the world is brighter because she was in it.

A Celebration of Life will be held at First United Methodist Church of La Porte Texas, 9601 W Fairmont Pkwy, La Porte, TX 77571, on Saturday April 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM.