June Lowdermilk Brantley, a beloved wife, dedicated educator, and foundational pillar of her family, passed away peacefully at her home on May 20th, 2026.
Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, on December 11th, 1953 to her loving parents, Charles and Grace Lowdermilk, June’s life unfolded across the Southeast, leaving a trail of warmth, classic style, and an unmatched gift for hospitality wherever she resided.
June spent her formative childhood years with her sister, Joyce, in Charlotte, North Carolina, and La Grange, Georgia, before her family settled in Raleigh, where she graduated from Sanderson High School in 1972. A proud alumna of Peace College and Meredith College, she pursued her passion for understanding and helping people by majoring in sociology and minoring in early childhood education.
It was during the final months of her college career that June met the love of her life, her husband, Bob. They were wed on a snowy Saturday afternoon, February 10, 1979, at West Market United Methodist Church in Greensboro, NC, beginning a beautiful 47-year journey of marriage built on profound partnership, shared projects, and absolute devotion. She and Bob shared a beautiful lifetime tradition of purchasing a piece of custom or antique furniture every milestone anniversary to construct a home filled with meaning.
Together, they navigated moves from Raleigh to Greenville, South Carolina, and finally to Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1983. June’s calling was always to shape the minds and hearts of young children. She spent years teaching elementary school in Raleigh and Greenville, South Carolina. She later returned to teaching at St. Stephen Lutheran Church and Preschool in Williamsburg, Virginia, where she served as director of the school before retiring after sixteen years of service.
In 2007, June and Bob put additional roots down in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where they lived part-time. Their family enjoyed numerous beach days and 4th of July celebrations. June lived her life exactly like a classic beach music track: vibrant, full of warmth, and instantly bringing joy to everyone in the room. A true North Carolina girl at heart, she loved a good medium-rare steak, a chocolate peanut butter milkshake from Cook Out, boxed Chardonnay, and yard sales.
Her hands were rarely still. Guided by a refined visual eye, June spent decades creating a beautiful world for those around her. She was immensely proud of her home improvement projects and spent many hours recovering treasured furniture; sewing exquisite custom bedspreads, curtains, and dust ruffles for her daughters’ rooms; crafting beds for American Girl dolls; and tailoring intricate Halloween costumes.
June’s creative spirit extended deeply into her community, where she served actively on the Matthew Whaley PTA, the Walsingham Academy Booster Club, the Williamsburg Community Hospital Auxiliary Board, the Greensprings Garden Club, and the Junior Women’s Club of Williamsburg. June was also a founding member of the Williamsburg Gourmet Club, which has met monthly since the 1980s, cooking up fabulous meals and incredible friendships for nearly forty years.
June was the ultimate host. Over the years, she was known for hosting large gatherings on Christmas Eve, epic holiday tea parties for Joy and Gwendolyn’s classmates, tennis team gatherings, and countless bridal and baby showers. Her home was always filled with life, including a constant stream of students lining up on the stairs for pictures before high school dances.
Above all her notable accomplishments, June’s greatest joy was her family. She passed down an invaluable legacy of positivity, kindness, creativity, service, and great cooking. Her family will forever hold dear her favorite holiday traditions, her seasonal decorating, and her knack for curating love and magic for her children and grandchildren.
We are so thankful for the incredible care and multiple resources provided by the Mayo Clinic, the VCU ALS Clinic, and the ALS Association. We cannot express enough gratitude for the incredible caregivers we had, including Laura Episopo, Theresa Hodges, and our hospice nurse, Matt Dawson. Our family is also immensely thankful for the love, prayers, and support shown by friends, family, and neighbors since June’s diagnosis of ALS in 2024. She loved receiving visits, thoughtful messages, videos, cards, flowers, and meals provided by so many who love her.
June is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Grace Lowdermilk. June is survived by her devoted husband, Bob; her two loving daughters, Joy Carder (CJ) and their children, Olivia Grace and Jack; Gwendolyn (Nick) and their children, Charlotte and Kevin Fitzpatrick. She is also survived by her sister, Joyce Edmonds, and her daughter, Claire, alongside Claire’s girls, Gracie and Anna Griffin Oxendine. She is also survived by her beloved beagle, Forest. Her life is celebrated by a cherished circle of extended family, former students, and lifelong friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ALS Association in memory of June. http://web.alsa.org/goto/JuneBrantley.
A celebration of life and brunch will be held at Williamsburg United Methodist Church, 500 Jamestown Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185, on Saturday, July 11th at 10am, followed by a receiving line and brunch at the church from 11am-1pm.
Please feel free to wear bright colors to the service—a fitting tribute to June’s endless positive energy.
To help us properly plan catering, please RSVP by Tuesday, July 7th, directly to Gwendolyn or by emailing [email protected].
