We want to thank each of you for joining us here today to celebrate Mother's life! We would like to take a brief moment to extend a few very special and heartfelt thank yous. First, to Mother's dear friends, Merle and Phyllis, Olene, Lila, Veda , Radine and Virginia who made faithful visits to her. You have been a blessing these past two years. You were her friends long ago and you were her faithful friends right up to the very end. And, not only were you mother's friends, you became ours too. We hope your friendship and your visits will continue.

Next, we want to thank our Uncle Bob and Aunt Shirley. We know that you have always held a special place in Mother and Daddy's hearts and we certainly know why. You are exceptional people! Thank you for your many visits from Salt Lake City and the weekly phone calls that she so looked forward to getting. Every Monday night she would watch the clock in anticipation for the phone to ring, knowing it would be you. Although you live a long distance away, you have always made sure that she was well taken care of. We, as your family, love and appreciate you for all that you have done. And, Bob, Daddy would be sooo proud of you! Thank you.

Mother, Mary June Black, was born to John and Ida Mae Black on June 30, 1920 in Paoli, Oklahoma. She departed this life and entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 23, 2012 while at her home in Walsh at the age of 92.

Mother spent her years as a child in Paoli, Oklahoma. She grew up with 4 brothers and 2 sisters. Her father died when she was only five years old leaving her oldest brother, Jodie, in charge of helping her mother raise the young family. She often shared memories (not all so pleasant) of her time spent in the cotton field picking cotton just to put food on the table for the family. She graduated from Paoli High School in 1939. It was there that she developed her love for basketball, as well as every other sport. We have photos of mother and her team mates on one of the earliest women's basketball teams in Oklahoma. She was the defensive guard for her team and complained of never being able to shoot the ball. If only we could have seen her play!

As a young lady just out of high school a year or two she became smitten by the local delivery man. Olen Hardy was his name. He sold and delivered ice to their house on a regular basis. With the sparkle in her eyes and her cute little smile she convinced the "ice man" to take her for a date. Their courtship later turned into marriage. On November 11, 1941, in Paoli, OK, vows were exchanged and the happy couple set out for a new and exciting adventure.

Both Mary June and Olen worked at Douglas Aircraft until Mary June announced that they would have their first child. September 17, 1942, was the arrival of the happy couples first born, Barbara June. It was then that Mary June's long lived and cherished career as a stay at home mother began. Three years later, in 1945, Ronnie was born, soon followed by Janice in 1946.

Providing for a family of three children made life a little difficult, so when the offer of a job in Colorado came it was gladly accepted. In 1947 the family made the move to Vilas where Olen and his Uncle Lewis Crisler opened a Texaco service station. Mother said she cried for a year because there were no trees, but learned to adjust because of the great people and wonderful friends she made.

The family moved to Walsh in 1951 and Max was born. Brenda came along a few years later; we aren't sure what year because she is forever 29 years old. If you want to know more you can guess with the rest of us.

Mother and Daddy had celebrated 53 years of marriage when Daddy passed away May 31, 1995. Mother thought her world had been shattered but with her will and determination she rejoined her bowling league. She loved bowling and all the ladies she bowled with.

She loved to travel and visited many places, even taking her grandkids on adventures to Japan, and Alaska just to name a few. She also toured the world with her friend, Virginia Campbell. Mother loved to play games at the Senior Citizen with her many fiends and attended the Walsh ladies Bible studies. Mother accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at the First Baptist Church and was baptized under the ministry of Ernest Marion.

Mother was always active in anything her kids were involved in - including Band Mothers, class dinners, class parties and making costumes. Mother was an avid sports fan especially when it came to following her grandkids and great grandkids. Woe be to the coach who might not play her grandkids the full game. They all called her, "Coach Grandma."

After Mother's stroke she was taken to Denver where they gave her 4 or 5 days to live. She was transferred to a hospice center where she stayed for 3 days. There she only continued to improve. Thank you Farah Gourley for saying: "She needs to be in Springfield getting therapy!" We are forever grateful! After Mother went home she continued to love having people around her. She enjoyed football, volleyball, basketball, shopping and birthday parties. She missed very few Sunday attending church.

We will always have a special place in our hearts for Jenni, Kevin and Laura for the care you gave our Mother. Kevin you became quite good with a curling iron. Jennie, the manicures and pedicures and music always made her smile. Laura, everything was always ship shape.

We also want to thank the staff at the Springfield hospital and physical therapists for treating our mom like a queen. We could not have asked for a better place.

On Sunday evening, September 23rd, about 5:30 pm, after 24 hours of a real struggle, our Lord said: "Mary June, it is time to come and reunite with your loved ones in heaven. Greeting her at the gate of Heaven will be her Lord to welcome her and right behind Him will be her parents, her loving husband and soul mate Olen, daughter Janice, her grandaughter Darla, brothers Pete, Jodie and Leo and two sisters Lucille and Bertha Mae.

Looking forward to joining her someday for a family reunion in heaven are Arden and Barbara of Walsh, Ronnie and Carolyn of Canton, MI, Wes McKinley of Walsh, Max and Tara of Piedmont, OK, Brenda and Richard Hargrove of Walsh, 16 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, brother AC Black of West Covina, CA, brother-in-law Bob and sister-in-law Shirley Hardy of Layton Utah, sister-in-law Wilma Wilson of Elkhart, KS and many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.