June (Garrison) Gordon was born in Kansas City, MO on June 17, 1914 to Lawrence and Nova (Stiles) Garrison. She passed away May 6, 2014.
As a small child, June moved with her family to a farm south of Vista, MO. The family became members of the Vista Baptist Church where she accepted Christ as her Savior at a young age. She remained a member for the rest of her life serving for some time as a Sunday school teacher and part-time pianist.
June attended Vista Elementary School and Osceola High School. After graduating in 1932 she attended Southwest Baptist College earning a teaching certificate and taught grade school at Vista Elementary School for two years. On February 9, 1935 she married Franklin H. Gordon also from Vista, MO. They began their married life on a farm east of Vista. To this union, three children were born.
As a young mother, June was involved with Rural Red Cross and St Clair County Health Care Volunteers and served on the Board of the County Extension Service. She was a 4 H leader and camp Counselor and received both the Silver Clover and Gold Clover awards and was honored on KWTO radio in Springfield for her 4 H Club leadership.
After the children reached high school age, June joined the staff of the St. Clair County Library where she continued her education in library science through the University of Missouri. She was a delegate to the Governor’s Conference on Missouri Libraries in Jefferson City. She was a member of the Missouri Library Association and the local Business and Professional Women’s Club. In 1973 June was chosen as county librarian and was instrumental in the moving and construction of the library to the present location in 1975. June retired in June of 1991 after thirty-eight years with St. Clair County Library.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Franklin H. Gordon and sister, Geneva (Garrison) Bledsoe.
June is survived by her three children, Elizabeth (Don) Greenwell, Maumelle, AR; Arthur (Bea) Gordon, Lowry City, MO; Robert (Kay) Gordon, Osceola, MO; six grandchildren, Mark (Andrea) Greenwell, Ventura, CA; Keith (Michelle) Greenwell, North Little Rock, AR; Bryan Gordon, Kansas City, MO; Polly Gehrke, Kansas City, MO; Wanda (Rich) Evans, Waukesha, WI; Ted (Idalisa) Gordon, Frisco, TX; fourteen great grandchildren; Lucas and Gabriella Greenwell; Taylor and Ashley Greenwell; Bryanna and Zachary Gordon; Isaac and Penelope Gehrke; Will, Susanna, Chaney and Jack Evans; Analise and Braydon Gordon and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
June was an inspiration to her family, friends and acquaintances for her work ethic, kind heart and Christian spirit. She will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.
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