June Brownlee Scogin

1933 - 2025

A true lover of life, June Brownlee Scogin, 91, passed away on January 31, 2025, following a brief illness brought on by complications from the flu. Born in Atlanta, Ga., she was the only child of George Wesley Brownlee, Jr., and Florence Cox Brownlee. She married her late husband, Harold P. Scogin, in 1950. Their family later lived in western New York State while Harold attended divinity school, and then in Cincinnati before returning to Georgia. They moved to the Austin, Texas, area in 1971, and most recently, June was a 20-year resident of Cedar Park. She had recently moved into a retirement community where she was enjoying new friends and a less complicated life. June is survived by children Linda Carver and husband William (Bill), Harold (Hal) Scogin, Jr. and wife Patricia Gilmer, Connie Whites, and Robert (Bob) Scogin, along with grandson William Mannella, his wife Mallory and three children, Casey, Kali and Aaron.

As the young wife of a minister, June had started college in her early married life, but interrupted her higher education to focus on raising her family. However, after the children were grown, she went to the University of Texas at Austin to earn Bachelor's and Master's degrees in communications. She then worked for the Texas Medical Foundation as a communications specialist; what is now the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, where she developed an educational program and materials for schoolchildren; and the Texas Hot Mix and Asphalt Pavement Association as director of communications. She finished her career as a consultant for the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, where she worked until the age of 79!

Outside of her paid jobs, June was a tireless advocate for the mental health community. Along with her husband, she joined NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) after one of her children was diagnosed with a mental illness. After getting help and education from NAMI's classes and support groups, June became a mental health activist, helping multitudes of families understand family members and friends who have a mental health diagnosis. She worked with NAMI Texas, helping to organize and run several statewide NAMI conventions. In 2005, she earned the Top Fundraiser Award for NAMI Texas Walks for the Sunshine Walkers in honor of Harold. And in 2014, she was presented with the Lifetime Service Award "for long-term, dedicated service to NAMI Austin (now NAMI Central Texas), its goals and its programs."

Married for 53 years, in their later years, June and Harold traveled around the United States in their camper and particularly loved the Big Bend area. Following Harold's death in 2004, June and son Bob continued that love of travel with trips to Alaska, Norway, the United Kingdom, the Baltic and the Mediterranean. One of the hardest things for June as she approached her 90s was to give up her travels.

Even though her world became a bit smaller, she loved her dear friends and extended family members who attended seminars and workshops at the university, went to stage productions and concerts, and just sat around and talked about everything going on in their lives and the world. June was a bright light who will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.

A celebration of life gathering and reception will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Beck Funeral Home, 15709 Ranch Road 620, Austin, Texas, 78717. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mary Lee Foundation at maryleefoundation.org, or to NAMI at namicentraltx.org.