Beverly J. Wallace-Martin

1939 - 2024

Beverly June Wallace-Martin, nee Wilcox, 84, Jefferson City, departed this life after a brief illness on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at the University of Missouri Hospital, surrounded by her six children and surviving spouse.

June was born June 25, 1939, near Monegaw Springs, Center Township, St. Clair County. She was the second daughter of Sullivan E. Wilcox and wife Helen Margaret, nee Naylor. She attended grade school in one-room schoolhouses, the first being Lewis District #45, west of Osceola, and the second being Reynard in Bates County, some three miles west of Appleton City.

She attended all four years of high school at Osceola High School, where she graduated in 1957. After high school, June entered nursing school at St. Teresa's College in Kansas City and graduated in 1960 with a diploma in nursing. After graduation, June took a train to Jefferson City, where, and she told this story with pride, she passed the RN boards the first time.

June enlisted in the U.S. Army and departed for Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where she completed the U.S. Army nurse orientation program and was promoted to the rank of 2nd Lt. She was then stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, where she worked at the post hospital until pregnancy required her discharge. June returned to Osceola and worked as an RN at both the old Todd Hospital and newer Sac-Osage Hospital.

June married Joe Bill Wallace Sr. and to this union, six children (all who survive) were born. Joe B. Wallace Jr. (Karren Greathouse), Osceola, Rebecca Ann Wallace (Yildirim Atkas), Charlotte, North Carolina, Ray Keith (Christine Willcoxon), Roy Kurt, all of Columbia, James Kent, Pasadena, California, and Helen Kae Manning (Herb), Telluride, Colorado. Besides these children, two stepsons survive, Jack Wallace, Osceola, and Greg Martin, Maysville.

June relocated to Columbia in 1980 to be near her parents and take a position with the Columbia VA Hospital. As if that was not enough, June restarted her military career by receiving a commission as a 1st Lt. with the 5503 U.S. Army Hospital Unit. June deployed with the unit to backfill active-duty staff sent overseas to support Operation Desert Unit. Heath forced June to retire from this U.S. Army Reserve unit with the grade of Lt. Col.

June divorced Joe Bill Wallace Sr. in the early 1980s and, within 10 years, found and married her soul mate, Mr. James Martin. June and Jim shared many good and bad times. These two enjoyed their winter home in the Florida panhandle as well as travels to places of interest both at home and abroad. June and Jim also worked together to get mother through the many cancer treatments she endured.

June is survived by her husband, James Martin; all six children; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two brothers, SE Wilcox Jr., Lowry City, Dale Wilcox, Columbia; three sisters, Barbara McKee, Raymore, Linda Means, Blue Springs, Cheryl Bailey; and many other relatives and friends.

Preceding June in death were her parents; her oldest brother, James Charles "J.C." Wilcox; and four brothers-in-law, Sam Lewis, Tom Means, Dan Bailey, and Robert McKee.

A memorial and celebration of life was held Sunday, Jan. 28, at First Baptist Church, Jefferson City, with a memorial service following at 1 p.m at the church, with the Rev. Melissa Hatfield officiating.

Full military honors were rendered after the service.

June has asked to be cremated and her ashes to rest with family at Yeater Cemetery, St. Clair County.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to First Baptist Church, 301 E. Capitol Ave., Jefferson City, MO, 65101.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, Jefferson City.