First Lady Cora P. Demmer

Cora P. Demmer was born in Lubbock Texas, September 28, 1944 to the proud and happy parents, Mr. JB and Mrs. Elsie Hughes. With the joy of her arrival there was also a tragedy; her mother Elsie died while bringing Cora into this world. After the death of Elsie, JB moved the family to Denver, Colorado where he met and married Mrs. Elizabeth Lockett, who mothered and loved Cora as if she was her biological daughter. It was Elizabeth that introduced Cora to Christ. Cora received her formal education at Manual High School, graduating in 1962 where she excelled in track, music, playing the viola in the orchestra, and was often featured as a lead soloist in the school choir. Cora furthered her education at Denver University where she completed an Associates Degree in Developmental Disabilities. It was in those early years of her continuing education and musical excellence that in 1966 she met Edward Van Holmes, and was joined in marriage; from which her only biological child Courtenay Denene Holmes was born. Courtenay was the absolute joy of Cora’s life. Greater joy would come as Courtenay gave birth to her children and Cora’s precious grandchildren Jasmine, Simfoni, and Robert. Followed by even more joy as Jasmine and her husband Howard Cee Cary III brought into this world Ariya, Amari, and Auli. In 1977 Patrick Lee Demmer visited the Progressive COGIC where Supt. C. L. Bryant was the pastor. Desiring to hear Pastor Bryant preach, Patrick walked into the church late for service, and was smitten with the beautiful choir director who on that Sunday was ushering and sitting on the back row of the church. Cora had the longest and most beautiful, crossed legs he had ever seen. To this very day, Patrick can’t remember anything about C. L. Bryant’s message because he was so fascinated with the beautiful woman with those long, gorgeous legs! After church Patrick introduced himself, but Cora literally rolled her eyes, stuck her head and nose up in the air, and briskly walked away. Patrick, however, was unrelenting and being very determined to gain her attention, he finally prevailed; and on December 23, 1977, they were united in marriage. Patrick often said, “he got her, but what he got, got him!” Celebrating 47 years of marriage, they were never separated, never spent a single night away from each other in anger and never ever did they physically fight! Cora was the quintessential perfect mother of a blended family before there were any books or guides on blended families. She inherited Patrick’s children from his previous marriage and Cora didn’t miss a beat as she became the loving mother of Toia, Tony and Lisa whom she loved and treated just like Courtenay. God used Cora to help birth the ministry that God had ordained Patrick to do. It was Cora who encouraged him, prayed for him and supported the vision God gave him as only a God given, and God ordained wife could do. She never faltered as God moved them from Minister and Minister’s wife, Ordained Elder and Elder's wife, Pastor and Pastor’s wife, Superintendent and Superintendent’s wife, First Administrative Assistant, and First Administrative Assistant's wife. She proudly served Supervisor Bettie Peterson who appointed her as the President of the Superintendents wives, where she coined the phrase “DSW”! As a faithful First Lady in the early years of their ministry, nobody out worked and nobody out supported her. Cora’s love to every person that walked through the doors of Deliverance Center COGIC, Globeville COGIC and Graham Memorial Community COGIC was without conditions or expectations. Whether it was working in the church kitchen, cleaning up the sanctuary after service, rooting for the Broncos (who she thought was going to the Super Bowl every year), or hitting that amazing top falsetto note as the choir sang, nobody cheered, supported, and loved like First Lady Cora Demmer! Cora was preceded in death by her biological mother and father JB and Elsie Hughes, and the mother who raised her Elizabeth Lockett Hughes. Brothers: June Hughes, Nelson Hughes, and Gene Hughes. Sisters: Elmer Benton and Goldie Adkins. Left to cherish her memories: her husband Superintendent P. L. Demmer. Daughters: Courtenay Holmes, Toia Nash, and Alisa Butler. Son: Antonio Demmer, grandchildren: Jasmine Cary (Howard Cee III), Simfoni Crowley, Robert Holmes, Montez Torrey, Marquez Coleman, Marquis Coleman, Daryle Nash, Torrence Demmer, Antoniece Demmer, Desiree Wallace, Joylnn Butler, Patrice McKissick, and Ciarrah Demmer. Great Grandchildren: Ariya, Amari, Auli, Montez Jr., Tony, Tyson, Zhamira, Journee, Jeremiah and Jordan. Sisters: Donetta Williams and Jewelene Williams. Brother: Alvin Hughes (Sofia), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members and friends!

First Lady Cora P. Demmer

September 28, 1944 - October 15, 2024