June Mathews Moody died at age 96 on January 4, 2015 after a long and fulfilling life. June was born in Forest Home, Butler County, Alabama on November 5, 1918 to Louise Gilmer Watt of Forest Home, and Thomas Rex Mathews of Sylacauga. She grew up in Sylacauga, but spent many a summer on the Butler County farm. In Sylacauga her father's family owned a dry goods store and the Rex Hotel. Their home was destroyed in the devastating tornado of 1928, a memory that would be with her all her life. She studied at Montevallo College and later when the family moved to Miami, Florida, worked as a legal secretary. Her next job took her in 1941 to the Bahamas, where she worked for a wartime company constructing airfields. Soon after arriving, she was invited to a glamorous garden party held by the Governor of the Bahama Islands, the former King of England Edward VIII, that was also attended by a young Army doctor, Frank Sims Moody of Tuscaloosa.After the move to their home on Rockledge Road in Mountain Brook, they enjoyed a life full of friends. An outgoing and engaging member of her community, she had a talent for connecting with people. She was a member of the Junior League of Birmingham, and her passion was singing in the chorale group. A member of Independent Presbyterian Church, she served as a Deaconess. She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Colonial Dames. She enjoyed the fellowship of several garden clubs, and she was an accomplished seamstress and upholsterer. She and Frank enjoyed delving into their families' genealogy, and she was an active member of the Birmingham Historical and the Birmingham Genealogical Societies.
A visitation will be held on Friday, January 9, 2015 at Ridout's Valley Chapel from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. A private burial will be held at Elmwood Cemetery on Saturday, January 10, 2015, followed by an 11:00 a.m.memorial service at Independent Presbyterian Church.
Published in The Birmingham News from Jan. 6 to Jan. 7, 2015