She was born on June 29, 1919, to Bertie Farrell Swartz and Arthur R. Swartz and grew up and attended school in San Angelo, Texas. Following high school, June attended San Angelo College and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, a National honorary society for junior colleges. She received her diploma on May 30, 1938. Her education continued at Texas State College for Women with a major in Music Education and a minor in English. She received her Bachelor of Science degree June 3, 1940.
After graduating from Texas State College for Women, June returned home and began teaching music at a school in Christoval, Texas, in order to remain close to her home. During this time she played the piano for events in the San Angelo area. In 1941, June began teaching in Sterling City, Texas where she met a young rancher, Joe Mims, who was quite taken with her. In fact, he told a good friend to leave her alone as he planned to marry her. They were married on April 6, 1942.
June remained in San Angelo during her husband’s service in the Army Air Corp where he served as a bombardier in the European Theater of Operations. After completing his combat missions he returned to San Angelo to meet his new daughter Judy Gail. The family then moved to Santa Monica, California and later returned to the San Angelo area before moving to a ranch near Roswell, New Mexico. While living at the ranch and in Roswell, June was interested in gardening and horticulture. She taught piano lessons, was active in the First Methodist Church, P.E.O. and in Service League. She was a member of The Iris Society and earned many medals for her prize iris.
Joe and June moved back to San Angelo in 1991 and purchased a ranch in partnership with their son Joe A. Mims and his wife Libby. A garden was immediately established for June so that she could continue with her gardening and growing her iris. Although Joe passed away in 1993, June continued to live at the ranch until her recent move back into town in San Angelo. Her iris will continue to grow in her garden at the ranch which is a constant reminder that June is smiling at us through her beautiful flowers.
She is survived by her daughter Judy Mims Sikes and husband Jimmy of San Angelo,Texas, daughter Jan Mims Kirk and husband Tom of Beaumont, Texas, and Dr. Joe A. Mims and wife Libby of San Angelo, Texas. Also grandchildren Jill Shields and husband John of Omaha, Nebraska, Larissa McBride and husband Heath of Brady, Texas, Lesley Fox and husband Jeff of Austin, Texas, Jamie Long and husband Mark of McQueeney, Texas, Joe Aaron Mims and wife Andrea of San Antonio, Texas, Jenna Mims Stevens and husband Ryan of Clarkston, Washington, and Logan Mims of Austin, Texas. Great-grandchildren include Riley McBride of Brady, Texas, Clare and Cavan Shields of Omaha, Nebraska, Thomas Long and wife Ashlynn of New Braunfels, Texas, and Taylor Long and wife Taylor of Seguin, Texas. Great-great-grandchildren are McKennon Long of Seguin, Texas and Claire Long of New Braunfels, Texas; and as June would say, her best friend, Toby, her Jack Russell Terrier.
The family wishes to acknowledge the exceptional love and care June received at Baptist Memorial Retirement Center (Sagecrest Allison House), June’s home for the past seven months. Thanks also to friends and family members for all the good wishes and prayers sent her way.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 16, at 2 p.m. at Sierra Vista United Methodist Church in San Angelo.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sierra Vista UMC or Baptist Memorial Sagecrest Alzheimer’s Center.
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