Dear June,
The “Peace Banner” is dedicated today in honor of you, and your late husband Elmer, and your loving and longstanding service to the parish of All Saints Brighton Heights.
Your history with this parish began before this church site was even in existence. As June McNeil, born on June 30, 1921, you were baptized at the original site of our church on California Avenue. On Sunday mornings, you would walk with your family to church. Once the new church was built in 1931, you began to worship here. At our new altar, you made a mature public affirmation of your faith when you were confirmed as a young adult. On April 5, 1941, you returned to the altar again to marry Mr. Elmer Evans. On that special day, the two of you made a solemn and public covenant in the presence of God when you were married by the Reverend Marshfield.
Over the years, the two of you worked hard to raise your family and build a family bakery business; however, you found time to bake delicious pies for various church functions. Parishioners just had to say, “These are the Evan’s pies” and they would be immediately sold. Your “sweet” and loving commitment to the parish continued as you made and sold delicious chocolates for church fundraising dollars.
Eventual retirement from the bakery allowed you and your husband more time to devote to the parish. Elva Matous remembers that for at least 2 decades, Elmer and you were the volunteer Sextons. Once a week you would come to the church and clean the pews and the sanctuary, and Elmer would take care of the grounds keeping as well. Your hard work, commitment, and the continual maintenance of this worship space, demonstrated your love of God and His Church. When asked many parishioners stated, “The list goes on with all they have done for All Saints.”
After Elmer went home to the Lord in 2007, you continued to help All Saints as a member of the Altar Guild and took special care of the altar linens. You remained a committed member until the age of 91. You apologized for quitting but you were “no longer able to lift the flowers up to the altar.” When asked about you, Daryl Walker, our Senior Warden, states,
At age 93, June may not be doing as many jobs as she used to but she still participates in the life of the church. June helps with the Flea Market. She will buy soup and sit and talk to whoever is there at our Soup Fellowship. She makes and buys things for the Bake Sales. She still comes and makes Palm Crosses for Palm Sunday. We are truly thankful for all that Elmer has done, and for what June continues to do for the church.
June, your mutual love and commitment to this church demonstrates the power of the Holy Spirit. You used your varied gifts and put them to the good use of His Church—and for that we are most grateful.
When the two of you were married at this altar you heard the words of Reverend Marshfield pray: Make their life together a sign of Christ’s love to this sinful and broken world and Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life.
We are so grateful that you and Elmer listened carefully to those words and took them to heart. We cannot thank you enough for all that you have done for us. We were blessed by Elmer, and continue to be blessed by you.