June Eastridge Simpson

1931 - 2023

Simpson, June Eastridge

March 7, 1931 - April 2, 2023

June Eastridge Luteman Simpson, age 92, passed away in Greensboro N.C. surrounded by her loving family April 2, 2023. She was born March 7, 1931 in Sprague, W. Va. to David Lee and Emma Grace (Basham) Eastridge. The family also lived in Streeter, W. Va, a small mountain which her mother's ancestors had settled and where our family reunions are still held to this day.

When June was 10, she contracted osteomyelitis. The infection in her legs almost caused her death and doctors feared she'd never walk again. But June possessed an amazing spirit. Armed with unshakable faith, zeal, determination and courage, she endured painful therapies and surgeries to correct the deformities in her legs. The child's determination paid off. As June liked to tell it, she indeed walked again- not in orthopedic shoes, but in high heels.

Inspired to help others, June enrolled in the pre-med program at West Virginia University in Morgantown. She dreamed of being an orthopedist, but in 1951 June fell in love and married Albert C. Luteman. June bore two children, Christopher Allen (1952) and Virginia Lee (1953).

The family moved to Greensboro and June gave birth to two more: Stephen Eldon (1956) and Cheryl June (1960). While raising her four kids, she began a 35 year career with the Internal Revenue Service. She started on the ground floor as a switchboard operator, ultimately attaining the high rank of IRS Appeals Agent, Grade 12. Unbeknownst to her family, June had been walking in great pain for many years. In 1972, June had two knee replacements and a right hip replacement, increasing her abilities with much less pain.

In 1981 June married the love of her life, James R. Simpson. The two soulmates were absolutely perfect for one another, happy together until Jim's death in 2016. In 1988, June again became ill with osteomyelitis. Doctors told the couple the only way to save her life was to amputate her right leg, including the hip. Filled with fear and grief over the coming loss, June sought comfort in prayer. She said, "I read my prayer books and a sense of peace grew over me. I just knew that whatever happened to me, I would be all right." In eight months, June learned to walk again with a new computerized prosthetic, using only a cane for support.

June was always altruistic. In 2000, she met her dear friend and fellow amputee, Bob Romano. Together they started the Greensboro Amputee Support Group. Bob was president; June served as secretary and treasurer. They both trained to be Certified Peer Visitors through The Amputee Coalition of America. The two counseled hospital patients with new amputations, answering questions and giving hope that a fulfilling life awaited them in spite of their limb loss.

June loved music. The Basham-Eastridge clan was filled with gifted musicians and singers. June's parents, Lee and Grace, were shape-reading quartet singers who competed in local Gospel contests. June sang beautifully; all three of her brothers were singers or players. Her first husband, Al sang and all four of her children grew up great singers or guitar players.

June was a long-time devoted member of First Lutheran Church in Greensboro. She had an enormous capacity for giving and receiving love. She loved her fellow worshipers and loved her Pastor, Jay Hilbinger. It's hard to convey how many lives June touched or how profoundly we will all miss her.

Besides her parents, June is preceded in death by husbands Albert C. Luteman and James R. Simpson; son Christopher Allen Luteman; her sister Mildred, and brothers Wesley (Ann), Mason (Ida) and Eldon (Sunnie Belle) Eastridge.

June is survived by her daughters Ginger Lee Pugh (Brooks) and Cheryl June Luteman; her son Stephen Eldon Luteman (Maria Hernandez), her daughter-in-law Joann Ellis (Christopher); her granddaughter, Olivia Luteman Hudgins (Justus); Jim's son, Jay Brant Simpson (Debbie), grandsons William Simpson (Michelle), and Christopher Simpson. June adored her great-grandchildren: Shepherd (Hudgins), Jacob, Ryan, Bentley, Taylor and Luke (Simpson).

Please join us to celebrate June's life Thursday June 8, 2023 at 1 p.m. in the contemporary sanctuary at First Lutheran Church (3600 W. Friendly Avenue in Greensboro N.C.). In lieu of flowers, please make donations to First Lutheran Church or to The Amputee Coalition of America.

Triad Cremation & Funeral Service