June Wallace-Martin

Beverly June (Wilcox) Wallace-Martin was born on June 25, 1939, near Monegaw Springs, Center Township, St. Clair County, MO. She departed this life after a brief illness on January 24, 2024, at the University of Missouri Hospital, surrounded by her six children and surviving spouse.
June was the second daughter of Sullivan E and Helen Margaret (Naylor) Wilcox. 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 3 miles West of Appleton City.
June 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 – passed the RN boards the first time. June enlisted in the U.S. Army and departed for Fort Sam Houston, TX., where she completed the US Army Nurse Orientation Program and was promoted to the rank of 2nd Lt. June was then stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, MO., where she worked at the Post Hospital until pregnancy required her discharge. June returned to Osceola and worked as an RN in both the old Todd Hospital as well as the 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) of Osceola, MO.; Rebecca Ann Wallace (Yildirim Atkas) of Charlotte, NC.; Ray Keith (Christine Willcoxon) of Columbia, MO.; Roy Kurt of Columbia, MO., James Kent of Pasadena, CA., and Helen Kae Manning (Herb) of Telluride CO. Besides these children, two stepsons survive, Jack Wallace of Osceola, MO., and Greg Martin of Maysville, MO.
June relocated to Columbia, MO. 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 US Army Hospital Unit. June deployed with the unit to backfill active-duty staff sent overseas to support OPERATION DESERT STORM. Heath forced June to retire from this US Army Reserve unit with the grade of Lt. Colonel.
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 home and abroad. June and Jim also worked together to get mother through the many cancer treatments she endured.
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.
June is survived by husband, James Martin; all six children; twelve grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, SE Wilcox Jr. of Lowry City, MO., and Dale Wilcox of Columbia, MO.; and three sisters: Barbara McKee of Raymore, MO., Linda Means of Blue Springs, MO, and Cheryl Bailey.
A memorial and celebration of life will be held Sunday, January 28, 2024, at First Baptist Church.
A memorial service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, January 28, 2024, at First Baptist Church with the Reverend Melissa Hatfield officiating. Full military honors will be rendered after the service.
June has asked to be cremated and her ashes to rest with family at Yeater Cemetery in St. Clair County Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to First Baptist Church, 301 East Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City, Mo., 65101.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.