She is the kind of woman that never has a hair out of place, the kind of woman that always knows just what to say, the kind of woman that exudes class, the kind of woman that could enjoy crumpets and tea with Queen Elizabeth and later that day be digging in the dirt planting herbs and vegetables in her garden.
"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." Proverbs 31:25
To see her you might think that surely she has never faced any hardships. Surely that is why she can look so fabulous and always have a smile on her face. To know her is to know that it could not be further from the truth. Many a hardships she has faced...single motherhood, breast cancer, the closing of her beloved University where she taught for many years. The thing that sets her apart in the midst of such trials is that her hope comes from the Lord. She has witnessed God's faithfulness over and over in her life. Through trials she is able to smile because she knows that resting her trials at the feet of the Lord is always the best place to lay them.
"When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness." Proverbs 31:26
She is slow to speak and when she does it is in a manner that honors the Lord and makes those around her feel blessed by hearing her words. In 2009 she was in New York with my grandmother when they received word that my dad had a stroke. The prognosis at the time was grim. June sat at my grandmothers side opened her bible and began reading aloud from Psalms. My grandmother still speaks of the blessing that moment was to her and the way that June was able to calm her with the reading of God's word.
"She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy." Proverbs 31:20
Countless times she has gone to the jungles of Panama to offer her services on medical mission trips. If you have been privileged to go with her you have witnessed her hustle and bustle giving of herself in the service of glorifying the kingdom. At the end of the day when everyone circles up to pray you look around the circle everyone sweaty from the scorching jungle heat, everyone except June. There she stands in the circle in a perfectly starched white oxford shirt, a bandana tied around her neck and a smile on her face. All the Panamanians know and love her for her gentle hands, warm smile and giving spirit.
She has impacted everyone that has been blessed to know her. Whether you have known her from Lambuth, Skyline, Master Gardener's, or just from residing in Jackson; I have no doubt that your life has been blessed. She is a believer of the word of God and she lives out the word of God. Hearing that she would be moving to Missouri to start a new chapter with her daughter and family most were heart broken for selfish reasons but happy for this new phase for her.
While we all miss June, madly, we have all been impacted and inspired to be a better version of ourselves. Thank you June for living a life that serves the Lord and others. Thank you June for the legacy that has been laid out for all of us that know you. June, you truly are more precious than rubies to all that know you!!
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