June Maxine (Wood) Washington

June Maxine Wood Washington, age 90, became an angel of the Lord on November 11, 2016, at Mt. Carmel East Hospital. The oldest of six children, she was born on October 7, 1926 in Montgomery, WV to Ella Beatrice and Daniel Henry Wood. After graduating from Simmons High School, in 1944, she continued her education and graduated from Bluefield State College, Bluefield, WV, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Commercial Education in 1948. As a student at Bluefield, she was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc®, Beta Omicron Chapter on December 8, 1945. June was a strong woman of faith. At an early age, she accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized at the First Baptist Church, Montgomery, WV. After relocating to Columbus, she joined Union Grove Baptist Church in November 1966, and was recently recognized as a 50-year member. At Union Grove, she worked with the Credit Union and was a member of the Guiding Lights Club. She enjoyed the fellowship and traveling with her club members. Members looked forward to receiving their telephone calls from June, reminding them of their monthly meetings. On a regular basis, June attended Trinity Baptist Church with her daughter. Her work experience included serving as the Secretary to the Principal of Simmons High School, her alma mater, from 1950-1955. In addition, June served as Secretary to the West Virginia State University Registrar in 1955. In 1956, she began her federal service at the Naval Ordinance Plant in South Charleston, WV. Her career with the federal government spanned more than 25 years. She retired from the Defense Construction Supply Center (DCSC) in 1986. While working at DCSC, she received several merit and performance awards. After God and her family, her next love was her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc®. She was a 71-year Golden (50 years plus) Life member of the sorority and an active member of Alpha Sigma Omega Chapter. In 1977, she was honored as the Chapter’s “Outstanding Soror of the Year.” With great affection, she was lovingly referred to as their “AKA Mom” by many members of the Chapter. June held several offices and worked on many committees, including the committee that was instrumental in chartering Lambda Mu Charter at Miami University. One of her proudest moments as a member of the sorority occurred in April, 1970 when she pinned and welcomed her beloved daughter, Frances, into the sisterhood at Hampton University. She was a member of the Bluefield State College Alumni Association. With passion, she loved to travel and shop. She had a kind, sweet spirit and would do what she could to make others feel better. One of her ways of doing this was sending greeting cards. She should have had stock in a greeting card company. The US Postal Service will miss her frequent business! June was preceded in death by her parents, Ella Beatrice and Daniel Henry Wood; four sisters, Zelma Smith, Louise Spence, Beatrice Woods and Mary Rachel Jones; one brother, Charles Wood; one nephew, Donavan Jones. She leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted daughter and son-in-law, Frances George Rembert; four nieces, Cheryl Smith, Jacqueline McNeal (Jeffrey), Donna Peake and Michelle Jones; six nephews, Michael Smith, Ronald Smith, Terrance Wood (Tracy), Joseph Woods, Daniel Woods (Teresa) and Gregory Woods, Sr, (Deidra); special cousins, James, Karen and Kelsey Hall; a loving “adopted son,” Oscar Cheese; a host of great nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, her Guiding Light Sisters and members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc®