Obituary of June Cleo Best

OBITUARY

On Saturday morning, April 26, 2025, surrounded by her husband and daughters, June Cleo Bell Best peacefully left this earthly world and claimed her reward of eternal life. June, daughter of the late Velon Augustus Bell and Ruth Virginia Morris Bell, was born on June 27, 1948, in Powhatan, Virginia. The eldest of five children, June was a champion and protector for her siblings. Her fierce, protective attitude for family and friends persisted throughout her life, especially for her children and grandchildren.

June accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at an early age and was baptized into the fellowship of Mount Zion Baptist Church. She was a faithful member who participated in Sunday School and other church activities. June graduated as an honor student from St. Francis de Sales High School, a private Catholic school founded by Katherine Drexel to educate and empower African American girls. While June's thirst to learn about the Lord began in Sunday School, her attendance at St. Francis de Sales High School from the ninth grade until her graduation further strengthened her faith, a faith instilled in her by her parents and nurtured by her paternal grandparents, the late Deacon George W. Bell and Nannie Johnson Bell. June often spoke about her time growing up in a close-knit family surrounded by so many extended family members, including her maternal grandparents, the late Edgar Morris and Lena Miles Morris. It was her upbringing, rooted in strong faith and the lessons learned from her parents, grandparents, and extended family members, that instilled in her the importance of helping others and finding the courage to overcome adversity. These values remained with June throughout her life.

After graduating from high school in 1966, June relocated to Newark, New Jersey, to pursue a career and began working at Prudential Insurance Company in its Loan and Dividend Department. Shortly after moving to New Jersey, June met the love of her life, Thomas ("Tom") Best, and they were married on October 5, 1968. In 1970, they were blessed with a daughter, Kimberly. They moved to Richmond, Virginia, in 1973, where June began working with mortgages for United Virginia Bank. In 1974, June and Tom were blessed with another daughter, Kiva.

Soon after giving birth to her second child, June was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition, was told she would not live to see her children grow up and had to retire on disability. Though she faced life-threatening illnesses, what defined her most was her unwavering faith—her remarkable recoveries defied medical odds, ignited the faith of others, and revealed God's healing power and faithfulness through modern-day signs and wonders. Through God's infinite grace and mercy, June lived a full life, not only witnessing her children grow into adulthood but also seeing two of her three grandchildren do the same. Billy Graham once said, "The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us." June was a pillar of strength and was a fighter until she took her last breath. Throughout life, June trusted in God. And time and time again, like the words of her favorite hymn, "Trust in God", she always "sought the Lord, and He heard, and He answered." June's life is a shining example of how to face life's challenges with faith, courage, and steadfast determination.

After retiring, June became a stay-at-home mom, nurturing her daughters and their friends in the neighborhood. June affectionately called herself the "Kool Aid Mom," caring for children in the neighborhood whose parents worked during the day. Children easily felt her love and warmth, affectionately calling her "mom" and when they grew up and had families of their own, their children called her "grandma". She maintained those relationships throughout her life, and in her final days, she was blessed and comforted by their love and support.

June was a faithful member of Antioch Baptist Church and was active in its Floral Ministry, Women's Ministry, and taught Sunday School until her health declined. June looked forward to the annual women's retreat and watching her daughter teach and preach. June refused to let obstacles stand in her way and relentlessly pursued solutions to overcome any challenge. She took special interest in the plight of the homeless. After learning to crochet, she would crochet all summer to have enough hats to donate to the homeless. She prepared food for the homeless and worked with her sister, Chandra, to prepare care packages for them. Though June couldn't drive, she had a unique ability to get things done. With love and determination, she mobilized others, coordinated resources, and ensured her children, grandchildren, and anyone in need were cared for. Her influence was quiet but powerful—she moved hearts, and things happened because she cared enough to act. Her legacy inspires faith and compassion, especially in serving the marginalized and disfranchised. She passed down the values from generations before her to her daughters and grandsons, who now carry that same heart to serve.

June loved to talk, especially about her daughters and grandsons, listening to gospel music and her favorite songs from other genres, coloring, crafts, puzzles, in-depth bible study, reading, shopping for bargains, traveling the world with her family, sitting in her sunroom sipping coffee while talking to family and friends and family game and movie night. The Hallmark Channel's Christmas movies were her favorite, so much of who June was reflected in the characteristics of the woman in Proverbs 31. June refused to allow obstacles to stand in her way. She faithfully attended her children's and grandchildren's school events and activities. She only missed the first day of school for her grandchildren when she was in the hospital. June was loved by her family and loved them hard.

Cherishing her memory are her loving husband of over 56 years, Thomas; her devoted children, Kimberly Best Johnson and Kiva Rogers; grandchildren, Christian Best, Jeremiah Johnson, and Caleb Rogers; two sons-in-law, Edward Johnson and Taurus Rogers; three sisters, Deborah Bell-Feddiman (Sewell), Chandra C. Bell, and Keisha Dawn Bell; a brother, Darrick H. Bell (Alice); aunts, Lena Johnson and Florine Bell; uncle, Clarence Morris, Sr. (Karen); great aunt, Mary Jones; great uncle, Andrew Miles; sisters-in-law, Sarah Bazemore, Ethel May, and Ruth Suggs; brother-in-law, Robert Earl Best; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends, including dedicated nephew, Samuel Sheppard, devoted friends, Suzette Dabney, Minnie Thomas, Mary Williams, and Sylvia Parker, and loving supporter, Deborah Strand. A special thank you to Erica White, Raquel Thomas, and Devendra Persaud, amazing young adults who visited and cared for June as though she were their grandmother.

 

A Legacy of Faith

She walked in grace, with gentle might, A steady flame, a guiding light. Through every storm, she stood so still, Anchored in her Savior's will.

She taught us more than words could say, By how she lived her every day. With open hands and lifted eyes, She showed us how the faithful rise.

She whispered prayers through sleepless nights, And held our hands through dark and light. She sowed the seeds of strength and truth In daughters' hearts and grandsons' youth.

When troubles came, she would not bend. She taught us: trust Him to the end. With every test, her soul stood tall, For faith in God would never fall.

So now we walk the path she paved, With hearts she nurtured, lives she saved. Her love remains, a sacred part, A legacy etched on every heart.

 

A Message to My Grandsons

In the quiet moments, when time stood still, I watched over you, with an iron will. A fierce protector, a heart full of grace, I kept you safe in my warm embrace.

Through my illness, with courage so true, I battled for you in all that I'd do. Though my body grew weak, my spirit was strong; for you, my grandsons, I'd carry on.

I made sure your needs were met with care, no sacrifice too great, no burden too fair. My love was a light, a guiding star, that helped me endure, no matter how far.

At your games, your concerts, Grandparents' Day, I'd cheer you on, in my special way. Watching you sing in the choir with pride, my heart swelled with joy, standing by your side.

My pride, my joy, my motivation is clear, it was you who gave me the will to persevere.

When the doctors said there was nothing they could do, I said, "I've done all that I can do. I've fought as hard as I can fight, now it's in the Lord's hands."

You were my reason, my light in the dark, the joy in my heart, a glow when there was no spark. My love for you, beyond what words could say, held me here longer, day by day.

And though I'm no longer here, I'm with the Lord, free from all sickness and pain, I was not afraid, for I knew the way, a guardian angel, watching you each day.

As you carry my spirit in all that you do, stay faithful and true.

So, smile for me, laugh, often, go boldly after your dreams, and be the difference maker the world needs, Be Light, be Salt, and keep the faith, and be kind, as I would want you to be.

My strength, my love, my gentle embrace, will guide you always, through time and space. Our special arrangement, my love so pure, will live on in your hearts, forever sure.

Love you always,

Grandma

 

Acknowledgment

The family of June C. Best would like to express our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support shown to us throughout the years. Your steadfast encouragement during her health challenges, and your continued presence in our lives, have been a true blessing from God.

 

We are comforted by your kindness and strengthened by your prayers. May God's grace and peace be with each of you, as you have so graciously shared His love with us.

 

 

 

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