June Edmondson House, 91, died February 6, 2020, with her family at her side at her home in Lakeway (Austin), Texas. She was born June 15, 1928 in the Hamilton Community of Lonoke County, Arkansas, to the late Baxter and Kate (Buffalo) Edmondson. Surviving a premature birth at only 2 pounds, decades before neonatal care, she was put in a shoebox and placed on the open warm oven door- like something straight out of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books she later taught her second graders.
“Miss June” as students, doctors, and caregivers called her, was a graduate of Carlisle High School and Arkansas State Teachers College (which later became UCA). She was one course shy of completing a master’s degree. Miss June began her 42-year teaching career in the Hamilton School. She was one of the last two teachers to be teaching in the two-room school when it was merged into Carlisle Public Schools. She also taught two years in Hazen Public School.
Miss June was married to Conley House of Hazen, Arkansas for 58 years and they had one daughter, Becky. Teaching multiple generations, with high expectations for both herself and her students, she dressed like their Barbie dolls in trim fashionable dresses and her beloved Andrew Geller pumps, even on the playground.
One of Miss June’s Back to School night projects surprised parents with life-sized paper-mache’ models of their children and was featured in Instructor magazine.
Miss June loved beautiful things- clothes, flowers, paintings and throwing large parties for family and friends. A “hostess with the mostess”, Miss June was recently described on Facebook as “one of the last grand ladies of Prairie County.”
A member of Hazen’s Twentieth Century Club and the local Eastern Star chapter. Miss June was also active in church all her life—initially Hamilton Baptist Church, then First Baptist Church of Hazen, and finally the church of Brookdale Lakeway when she and Conley moved to Austin, Texas in 2010 to be closer to daughter Becky and her family.
Miss June is survived by her daughter, Becky Dewan and son-in-law, Raman Dewan of Austin, Texas; three grandsons, Remington, Richmond, and Raleigh Dewan, all of Dallas, Texas; sister-in-law, Carolyn House Benafield of Hazen; two nieces, Margaret Edmondson Horton (Don) of Jacksonville and Julie Benafield of Hazen; two nephews, Mike Edmondson (Sarah) and Jerry Edmondson (Carol) of Little Rock; two great nieces, Jessica East and Melissa Vance and a great-nephew, Chris Horton. She is predeceased by her husband, Conley, brother, Edward Edmondson, sister, Mary Emma Edmondson, and great-nephews, Mickey and Patrick Edmondson and great-niece Kim Edmondson Saneda.
A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Hazen, Saturday, February 15, at 2:00 p.m. with visitation starting at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be immediately after at Carlisle Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Carlisle High School Alumni Association Museum, Box 455, Carlisle, Arkansas 72024 or First Baptist Church, 244 North Hazen, Avenue, Hazen, Arkansas 72064
So sorry for your loss. She was definitely one of my favorite teachers and she will be missed dearly.
Condolences and prayers for your loss from the Beaty’s (Connie Ward, Kieth Beaty). We all have nothing but wonderful memories of a fine Lady and Teacher.
My prayers and condolences are with you. Miss June was my second grade teacher and I loved her. I got to see her at Hurley House in Hazen about 15 years ago. She was still BEAUTIFUL and still remembered me, probably 37 or 38 years after teaching me. I will never forget her.
One of my favorite teachers and such a sweet lady! Loved helping her when she shopped at the Country Closet and she was always beautiful in Style Shows for the store. Prayers to Becky and the family.
I have so many fond memories of Miss June. From my childhood and her visits to our cafe. She was such a kind and beautiful lady. She will be dearly missed. Prayers for all of her family.
Prayers for your family in the loss of your loved one.
Sending prayers for the family. I just loved Miss June. She was beautiful inside and out.
Sending you love and prayers at this difficult time. My thoughts will be with you as you face your new normal in the coming months.
Love and prayers to all of you . Mr.Conley and” Miss”June were second parents to me when I was little . Having me for sleepovers and taking me many places to see many people . Such sweet memories .
Loved my aunt June my Grandma Hauk was an Edmonson and aunt Kaye was my aunt and unle Baxter wad my uncle! I Got my Hands full MY MOM HAD A SEVERE HEART ATTACK AND STILL TAKING CARE OF HER I LOVE AUNT JUNE GOD BLESS THE FAMILY AND MY PRAYERS TO ALL THE FAMILY
Becky, I know that I would have loved your special mother. She has left a legacy for which I know she must have been so proud…you and your family. She was the kind of mother (and person) who makes the world a better place. Prayers and thoughts for all of you as you take your beloved mom home for the last time. Pat Gray
June and Conley have both been great friends of mine for many years. They served their community and friends faithfully and thoughts of them bring back many great memories.
They both did their job as servants of of our LORD JESUS, and now enjoy the the rewards of lives well lived. We are blessed to have had them in our lives.
Love and Prayers.
Gil and Carol
it was a blessing to know Conley and June when they arrived here in Austin tx. Dad and mom really liked there company at the south Austin rehab.Billy Jr. and Margaret Nichols
I remember how your mother and father welcomed me and my children and two nieces to spend the night at their house on our travel from Texas to Indiana. Your mom spoiled us rotten and played games with the kids. It was a very fond memory!