On July 4, 2020 June Grinstead passed away peacefully in her home in El Lago, TX. June was born in 1932 in Atlanta, Georgia to Carl and Martha Maddox. She began the life of an avid reader as a small child visiting the library in Atlanta with her father. She learned to garden and cook at her mother’s side. She loved animals. Her beloved dog, Butch, attended class with her throughout grade school and even graduated with her. In her teens, she fell in love with the piano and became quite accomplished. While in high school, she met the love of her life Richard “Dick” Grinstead. After doing a bit of modeling for an Atlanta department store, June attended University of Alabama and majored in Classical Piano. She returned home and started to work for the Social Security Administration. She and Dick reunited and eventually married in 1952.

June and Dick had four children: Bart, Mark, Kim and Laurie. June stayed home to raise them, and there were many homes throughout the years! June was a devoted mother and earned her title as “public defender” in their father’s eyes. Her affection for her children was shown in many ways. Sometimes it was tolerating the noise of multiple musical instruments at practice, sometimes sewing a costume for band or Halloween, sometimes having an afternoon snack ready when the kids got home from school, sometimes soothing her children with beautifully played piano music.  She could always be depended upon for a sympathetic shoulder on which to lean. In 1977, June and Dick moved to Seabrook, Texas. June went back into the work force as an administrative assistant at the University of Texas Dental School. She enjoyed the comradery of her work associates and worked there for 18 years before retiring.

In retirement, June gave full run to her hobbies. She enjoyed crafting, especially stained glass and pottery. She participated in craft shows and operated “Camp Nana” for her grandkids in the summer, in which she let them get messy with clay and paint. She continued to work in her garden and just about lived for garage sales on the weekends! She had always enjoyed crossword puzzles but was able to dedicate more time to them in retirement. Dick and June had a bit of a wanderlust and continued to enjoy travel their whole lives. They fulfilled June’s dream of a cruise to the Greek Isles in 2012 at 80 years of age!

On December 5, 2019 June and Dick celebrated 67 years of marriage. They managed to fulfill their vows of love through richer or poorer, in sickness and in health throughout their marriage. June lost her life companion to cancer in January 2020 and has now gone to join him in celebrating one of their favorite holidays this July 4^th. The stacks of crossword puzzle books lay stacked and lonely on her bedside table. The bed to which she was confined lays empty. Her sweet soul has joined her beloved. May the fireworks burn especially bright for them this year.

June is survived by four adult children: John Barton Grinstead of El Lago, TX; James Mark Grinstead and his wife Lori of Friendswood, TX; Kim Herzog and her husband Dr. Lonnie Herzog of Atlanta, GA; and Laurie Looper and her husband Chris Looper of League City, TX. She also leaves behind many grandchildren: Kathryn Siiteri and her husband Jordan Siiteri of League City, TX; Andy Grinstead and Ashley Lara of Houston, TX; Mason Mullenhour and Taylor Gibson of League City, TX; Dr. Alex Herzog of Atlanta, GA; Nikki Herzog of Atlanta, GA; Dr. Amelia Looper and her husband Dr. Scott Lenfest of Porter, TX; Savannah Looper and fiancé Brandon Conner of Katy, TX; Ben Looper and Katie Tansley of Kingwood, TX; and Joe Looper and his wife Hannah of Great Falls, MT. Also surviving are great grandchildren Lyric Mullenhour and Ada Siiteri. The family would like to thank Brenda Truan for her compassionate care of both June and Dick.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to St. Vincent de Paul ministry at Shrine of the True Cross Catholic Church. The mission of the St. Vincent de Paul Society is: “ A network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need.” Donations can be mailed to:

True Cross Catholic Church

Attn.: St. Vincent de Paul Society

P.O. Box 687

Dickinson, TX 77539