Verda Cope Jr.

Verda “Buddy” Cope Jr. was a U.S. Army veteran, law enforcement officer and public official who has the distinction of being the longest-serving county judge in Scott County’s history.

See Also: Mayors of Scott County
Preceded By: Deacon Sexton • Succeeded By: Dwight Murphy

Early Life

Born April 11, 1936, Cope was the son of Verda Cope (1911-1984) and Geneva West (1915-2008). He was a lifelong resident of Robbins, where he was a member of the First Baptist Church. He was baptized on June 20, 1948, at the age of 12. He would later be ordained as a deacon on April 2, 1967, and served as chairman of the deacons at the church for 18 years. He also served as the church’s Sunday school superintendent.

Cope served for six years in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Cope married Anna Jean Litton in 1963. They had four children: daughters Karen, Sabra and Keturah, and son Eric.

Professional Life

Cope began his career with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, where he worked for six years. He also worked as an insurance agent for 30 years.

Judge of Scott County

Cope was elected Scott County Judge in 1966, replacing Deacon Sexton. He was re-elected in 1970, 1974 and 1978. He left office as the longest-serving county judge in Scott County’s history, serving 16 years. W.H. Potter also served 16 years, but in separate stints (1894-1902 and 1910-1918).

Cope left office with the distinction of being the only county judge or county executive-mayor in Scott County’s history to be re-elected more than once consecutively.

It was during the latter years of Cope’s tenure in office that his title changed by state statute from county judge to county executive.

Later in Life

Cope returned to public office in 2004, when he was appointed by Scott County Commission to serve as Circuit Court Clerk following a death in that office. He served until the next election in 2006, when he was replaced by Donnie Phillips.

Death

Cope died at his home in Robbins on March 5, 2018, at the age of 81. A funeral was held at First Baptist Church of Robbins on March 8, 2018, and he was buried at Baptist Memorial Cemetery.

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