Obituary for June Almond
Maryland June Stockstill Almond passed away quietly at home, with her family gathered, on Saturday, January 29, 2022, following a long and brave struggle with Parkinson’s disease. June was a true Southern lady through and through. She was born in Picayune, Mississippi, on June 2, 1934, to R.D. and Myrtle Bond Stockstill, and grew up in a strong Christian community surrounded by her parents, sister, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. At an early age, June learned to play the piano and became so proficient, that by her teenage years, she would play the piano and organ for services at First Baptist and other churches in Picayune.
June received a Bachelor’s in Education and Organ and then in 1956 a Master’s of Education, all from the University of South Mississippi. She started her teaching career immediately, first back in Picayune and eventually in Houston, Texas. She began attending Training Union at South Main Baptist Church, finding a community with other young, single people. At a Training Union fellowship in 1959, she met a handsome Englishman named Peter Almond who was on a one-year fellowship at MD Anderson. After a few weeks, they were both smitten, and they married on August 7, 1960.
More than anything, church and faith were central to June’s life. She and Peter officially joined South Main after they were married and were active members and raised their family there until a move to Louisville, Kentucky in 1985, when they joined Broadway Baptist Church. It was at Broadway that she became a deacon. A return to Houston in 1998 brought them back to South Main, where June poured herself into teaching first grade Sunday School, playing the piano for children’s choirs, and serving on committees and the diaconate. As her Parkinson’s disease progressed, one of the most difficult aspects was that it kept her from attending church regularly.
June enjoyed the times that she and Peter traveled abroad for his work and to see his family. Well, she never really enjoyed the travel itself, being a white-knuckle flier, but she loved the destinations. She adored touring castles and stately homes and soaking in the antiques and artwork. Her favorite place was England, and she felt at home in its beautiful countryside and among Peter’s family.
June was very devoted to her immediate family and was proud of her children, her grandchildren, her sister, and all the spouses. She also had a special fondness for her in-laws, Jim and Anna Barkley. She loved occasions of celebration and holidays spent with everyone, and like many Southern women, often planned the gatherings months in advance, making sure that the decorations were just right and that there would be food for days. June especially enjoyed relaxed days spent with family first at their beach house on Boliver Penninsula and then at the little log cabin on Lake Limestone, with everyone playing board games and working puzzles.
Being the true southern lady, she never left the house without her hair and makeup perfectly done and wearing a coordinating outfit. She was a gracious hostess, especially to the many scientists from around the world who came to meet with Peter through his work. A good conversationalist, June always enjoyed finding out how you and your family were doing, and she could also be a little bit feisty, engaging in good-natured banter, particularly if she was fond of you.
June was a passionate educator and had high standards for her students, both her Sunday School students and those in the classroom. She taught at West University Elementary in the early 1960s and eventually at The Kinkaid School from 1972 to 1985. She enjoyed the years she taught seventh grade Texas history, passing on her knowledge and love of her adopted state.
In the last few years as her mobility was challenged, she developed a new interest in writing poems and prayers. She also found comfort in the things that she had enjoyed her whole life but in a new way: playing piano in the living room, playing board games with Peter, watching television programs about England, relishing visits from her family, and worshiping at South Main online.
June is survived by her husband of 62 years, Peter Richard Almond; sister Jan Stockstill Veranth and husband Frank; daughter Jan Almond Barkley and husband Jim; son Stephen Almond and wife Christy; grandson Drew Barkley and wife Sara; granddaughter Kate Barkley and her partner Lamy Chopin IV; aunt Dorothy Ladner and many other cousins and relatives in Southern Mississippi and Louisiana. The family would especially like to recognize and thank Houston Hospice and the many wonderful, amazing women who took care of June in the last years of her life.
A memorial service to celebrate June’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at South Main Baptist Church, 4100 Main Street in Houston. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to South Main Baptist Church.
For those not able to attend in person please visit the link below:
https://link.edgepilot.com/s/129c44c4/qHy8pZC2B0WukgJIdLUBZQ?u=https://boxcast.tv/view/june-almond-memorial-service-bu8q9beovunaixxjg7xw
June received a Bachelor’s in Education and Organ and then in 1956 a Master’s of Education, all from the University of South Mississippi. She started her teaching career immediately, first back in Picayune and eventually in Houston, Texas. She began attending Training Union at South Main Baptist Church, finding a community with other young, single people. At a Training Union fellowship in 1959, she met a handsome Englishman named Peter Almond who was on a one-year fellowship at MD Anderson. After a few weeks, they were both smitten, and they married on August 7, 1960.
More than anything, church and faith were central to June’s life. She and Peter officially joined South Main after they were married and were active members and raised their family there until a move to Louisville, Kentucky in 1985, when they joined Broadway Baptist Church. It was at Broadway that she became a deacon. A return to Houston in 1998 brought them back to South Main, where June poured herself into teaching first grade Sunday School, playing the piano for children’s choirs, and serving on committees and the diaconate. As her Parkinson’s disease progressed, one of the most difficult aspects was that it kept her from attending church regularly.
June enjoyed the times that she and Peter traveled abroad for his work and to see his family. Well, she never really enjoyed the travel itself, being a white-knuckle flier, but she loved the destinations. She adored touring castles and stately homes and soaking in the antiques and artwork. Her favorite place was England, and she felt at home in its beautiful countryside and among Peter’s family.
June was very devoted to her immediate family and was proud of her children, her grandchildren, her sister, and all the spouses. She also had a special fondness for her in-laws, Jim and Anna Barkley. She loved occasions of celebration and holidays spent with everyone, and like many Southern women, often planned the gatherings months in advance, making sure that the decorations were just right and that there would be food for days. June especially enjoyed relaxed days spent with family first at their beach house on Boliver Penninsula and then at the little log cabin on Lake Limestone, with everyone playing board games and working puzzles.
Being the true southern lady, she never left the house without her hair and makeup perfectly done and wearing a coordinating outfit. She was a gracious hostess, especially to the many scientists from around the world who came to meet with Peter through his work. A good conversationalist, June always enjoyed finding out how you and your family were doing, and she could also be a little bit feisty, engaging in good-natured banter, particularly if she was fond of you.
June was a passionate educator and had high standards for her students, both her Sunday School students and those in the classroom. She taught at West University Elementary in the early 1960s and eventually at The Kinkaid School from 1972 to 1985. She enjoyed the years she taught seventh grade Texas history, passing on her knowledge and love of her adopted state.
In the last few years as her mobility was challenged, she developed a new interest in writing poems and prayers. She also found comfort in the things that she had enjoyed her whole life but in a new way: playing piano in the living room, playing board games with Peter, watching television programs about England, relishing visits from her family, and worshiping at South Main online.
June is survived by her husband of 62 years, Peter Richard Almond; sister Jan Stockstill Veranth and husband Frank; daughter Jan Almond Barkley and husband Jim; son Stephen Almond and wife Christy; grandson Drew Barkley and wife Sara; granddaughter Kate Barkley and her partner Lamy Chopin IV; aunt Dorothy Ladner and many other cousins and relatives in Southern Mississippi and Louisiana. The family would especially like to recognize and thank Houston Hospice and the many wonderful, amazing women who took care of June in the last years of her life.
A memorial service to celebrate June’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at South Main Baptist Church, 4100 Main Street in Houston. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to South Main Baptist Church.
For those not able to attend in person please visit the link below:
https://link.edgepilot.com/s/129c44c4/qHy8pZC2B0WukgJIdLUBZQ?u=https://boxcast.tv/view/june-almond-memorial-service-bu8q9beovunaixxjg7xw