June Gallop

PARAGOULD - June E. Gallop, 88, passed away Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. The Lord called her home on his day, which was appropriate because, for decades, she served faithfully by her husband Hal W. Gallop Jr.'s side as he pastored various Southern Baptist congregations in Northeast Arkansas.

June taught middle school science for 38 years. Most of those years were spent in the Paragould School District. Being with June in public was kind of like walking around with Elvis – everyone recognized her, and former students greeted her with a smile and a loud "Mrs. Gallop!"

She was renowned for her creativity and verve in the classroom. Among the high points were the wedding for the class hamsters and worm sandwiches.

June began teaching while she was still attending Arkansas State University. In due course, she completed her bachelor's and master's degrees in education there. As important as the books were, June knew that education is a people business. And she drew the middle schoolers in with her sparkle.

She had the gift of hospitality. June's home was always open to friends, family and the continuing parade of Boy Scouts that Brad – her and Hal's only son – brought home. Many a Baptist pallet was put down for these teenagers. Laughter, extra supper and a snack were always available.

June lost Hal in November of 1994. Though she policed his diet and made him exercise, his heart finally gave out. A few months later, Brad died suddenly of cancer. A different person would have folded under the weight of all this loss. June did not. Instead, she grieved and rallied and pressed on.

June was close to her extended family and her friends. She kept up with all the Mays, Blackwoods and Gramlings. She cherished her friends – other teachers she'd worked with through the years, plus the ladies she went to church with.

She continued to walk through life with her best childhood friend, Laura Jean Garmroth, and Laura Jean's now grown children, Beth and Bryan. Laura Jean and June were sisters in every way but blood. June also adopted the Marshall family. She was present for every important moment in Adison and Lara Harden's lives.

June loved to plant things and watch them grow. She specialized in clematis. She loved Otis, her dachshund, and mourned his passing. She loved to go out to eat, shopping, visiting and travelng. She had an admitted weakness for large purses and shiny jewelry.

June was born March 1, 1935, to Essie May Holley and George Holley in Kennett, Mo. After her father died, she and her mother moved back to Arkansas. June was five. She always remembered that they came home on a train.

She grew up in Walcott. Her grandfather was postmaster and Essie followed him as postmistress. Their lives revolved around the Post Office, the First Baptist Church of Walcott, the extended May family, and doings with friends, such as Sue Wadley and Laura Jean.

June's dear friends and family loved, supported, and helped her, especially recently as she faced health challenges. She leaned, in particular, on Jan and Rodney Combs, Maryann Holifield, Linda Rogers, Joyce Ryan and Melissa Williams.

She is survived by her nephew, Steven (Lavada) McArthur, some of her many cousins, Bonnie Kay (Jim) Myer, Dean (Fay) May, Jackie (Mary) May, one half niece, Donna Ford, and her devoted cousin-in-law, Karla (Rex) Blackwood.

Visitation will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Mitchell Funeral Home in Paragould. A celebratory service will be held there at 2 p.m. Burial in Mount Zion Cemetery at Walcott will follow. Brad's Boy Scout friends will be pallbearers.

Lasting memorials may be made to the charity of the giver's choice or Browns Chapel Baptist Church, 3800 S. Rockingchair Road, Paragould 72450.