She loved volunteering in the nursery, teaching Sunday School and hosting youth group functions. June was a lifelong Christian and active member of First United Methodist Church. The devoted couple married after Harry’s return from World War II, happily together until his death in 2004. Early courtship included Sunday evening church services (in the balcony), then walking June home, stopping along the way at Evan’s Soda Fountain for a coke float. teacher asked his student assistant (Harry) to help June with her batting skills and the rest is history. They met when she was in the eighth grade and Harry a sophomore at Gainesville High School. June married the late Harris H Green, another Gainesville native, on December 26, 1946. Always a proud Gator fan and supporter June loved football season! A cherished memory was walking on the field again in 2011 to be recognized as a 50-year Gator Booster, escorted by her grandson Ty Byron (standing in for her beloved late husband Harry). In 1947 she helped organize the first UF majorette team. During the 19 football seasons June was the sole twirler for the University of Florida, still an all-male school. She taught dance classes from an early age and owned her own studio. Small town Gainesville afforded June many opportunities to perform. The home in which she grew up included boarders and was always full of activity and joyful moments gathered around the piano. June was a lifelong resident of Gainesville and a fourth-generation descendant of two of Florida and Alachua County’s early pioneer families. She was born at home, February 16, 1927, to Lucius and Myrtle Holland Johnson. In lieu of flowers, the family request you make a contribution in memory of Mary Towers to the Dementia Society of America by mail to PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or online June Rose Johnson Green, age 95, passed away peacefully, with family by her side, June 16, 2022, at her home in Gainesville, Florida. Milam Funeral Home Gainesville is handling funeral arrangements. Interment will follow immediately at Forest Meadows Memorial Park East, 3700 SE Hawthorne Road Gainesville, Florida, 32641. Madeleine’s Catholic Church 17155 NW US Hwy 441 High Springs, FL on Friday, July 15th, with sharing at 9:30 am and funeral mass at 10:00 am. Main St., Gainesville, Fl on Thursday, July 14, 2022, from 5:30-7:30 pm.įuneral services will be held at St. Visitation will be at Milam Funeral Home, 311 S. Madeleine’s Catholic Church in High Springs. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Gainesville and St. Mary was recognized by the Florida Genealogical Society as a descendant of a Florida Pioneer and was accepted into membership of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In her later years, she became quite adept at technology, had video calls with family on a regular basis, had her own PC, iPhone and iPad and knew how to use them. She always found the good in everything, never had a bad word to say about anyone, and always put others before herself. Mary was the most kind, gentle person you could ever meet, and never met anyone who wasn’t an immediate friend. But most of all she loved having her family around. Shortly after the end of the war she got permission to join Frank in Germany where they lived for three years then moved back to Florida to build their home, where Mary lived until near the end of her life.ĭuring retirement, Mary loved traveling, researching family genealogy, crocheting, reading, fishing, and crafts projects, such as reupholstering furniture and basket making. During World War II, while Frank was serving his country in Europe, she lived in Boston, Mass. While teaching in Jacksonville she met a handsome soldier stationed at Camp Blanding who, in 1943, became her husband. She loved teaching early education children because she felt she could “help get them started off right.” She taught school for 30 years, most often first grade, in Jacksonville, Alachua and Gainesville. Mary graduated from Alachua High School, Florida Southern College, and the University of Florida where she majored in elementary education. Also surviving her are four grandchildren Duane King (Elizabeth), Lori King, Jason Towers, Evan Teal, five great grandchildren, Jonah Towers, Nora Towers, Davin Miller, Stephen King, Mackenzie King, two great great grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews all of whom she loved and who adored her, and numerous caregivers who all loved “Miss Mary”. She is survived by her four children: Jane King, Anne Kuhns (Rolf), Frank, Jr., and Kathy Teal. Towers, Sr., and her son-in-law Peter Teal. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 73 years, Frank W. After 103 years, Mary died peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by her family, in Gainesville, Florida on July 6, 2022.īorn May 31, 1919, Mary was the third of nine children born to Bob and Annie (McCall) Thomas of LaCrosse, Florida, all of whom preceded her in death.
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