June Walton Obituary

Walton, June

June Elizabeth Jackson Walton, passed peacefully in her sleep, with family by her side on April 26, 2023, in Bakersfield, California. Her 96 years were filled with family, friends, service, and faith. Always incredibly kind and thoughtful, she explored new ideas, things, and places throughout her life. June enjoyed a broad circle of friends. This included the friends of her children; with whom she created special and deep bonds. Adjectives used to describe her include "wonderful and accomplished", "awesome", and "extraordinary". June was born on December 16, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois, to Benjamin and Henrene Jackson. She received her B.S. in Chemistry from Roosevelt University in Chicago. In the late 1940s, most times, she was the only woman and the only African American in her chemistry classes. She later earned a master's degree in education from Governors State University.

In 1951, she married Richard Walton. They raised four children and were together until his passing in 2013. She taught first and second grade in the Chicago Public Schools, retiring in 1987. She enriched the lives of hundreds of students in her 25 years of teaching. Afterward, she tutored children at La Rabida Children's Hospital, serving as a volunteer there for another 25 years. When La Rabida received a national volunteer award, June was chosen to represent the volunteers and accepted the award in Washington, D.C.

June was an avid reader, an accomplished seamstress and skilled embroiderer, and an almost daily completer of crossword puzzles. She loved to travel. For more than 40 years, with the same group of friends, she visited places across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. With her daughter Sharon, she traveled several times throughout Europe. For her last trip in January, she went to visit her niece Kimberly and her family in Bakersfield, wishing to escape the mid-western winter. In her final weeks, June expressed her thanks for the love and care given to her by Kimberly and her husband Michael, and caregiver Reggie Esquire.

June is survived by her children, Sharon, Richard, Charles (and wife Sharifa), and Kim, grandchildren (Tonisha, Ryan, Roshi, Spenser), great-grandchildren (P.J., London, Rayleigh), along with her sister, Doris Morgan, nieces (Camille, Trayce, Kimberly), nephew (Wayne) grandnieces (Natasha, Nia, Nijmah), grandnephew (Samuel), great-nephews (Zach, J.P., Jourdan, Edward, Charles), and great-nieces (Measa, Isabella). June's open loving heart expanded to include others who she considered family: 'son' Steven Williams and his family, and 'brother' Azariah Stonar and his children. They all will be forever grateful for her unconditional love.

Carey Temple A.M.E. Church was June's spiritual home for over 70 years. She was called the 'mother' of Carey Temple, having been the oldest member of the church. Forever the educator, she donated her body to science, where lessons learned from her may be of benefit for many years to come.

A memorial service and celebration of June's life will be held on Friday, June 9, 2023, 12:00 Noon, at Carey Temple A.M.E. Church, 7157 South Greenwood Ave., Chicago, IL.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Carey Temple A.M.E. Church (7157 South Greenwood Ave., Chicago, IL 60619), La Rabida Children's Hospital (6501 South Promontory Drive, Chicago, IL 60649, https://larabida.org ), or a charity of your choice.

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