June Elizabeth Heard, the first of two children born to John Sidney Heard, Sr. and Eleanor Elizabeth Heard, was born on December 17, 1940, in Los Angeles, CA. June, her parents and her brother, John Jr. a.k.a “Bubby” resided in Pasadena, CA where she attended Cleveland Elementary School, Washington Middle School. She graduated from John Muir High School and earned a certificate in early Childhood Education from Pasadena City College.
June began her walk with Christ in 1956when she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at Friendship Baptist Church in Pasadena. On October 16, 1983 she joined Second Baptist Church of Monrovia under Christian experience and the leadership of Pastor Wm. La Rue Dillard. June completed New Members Training and received a Certificate of Completion and Membership on March 24, 1991. At Second Baptist she served on the Senior Board of Ushers and the Christian Education Ministry as a K-1st Grade Teacher. She was also a member of Sunday School Class “A” led by Deacon George Harrison. Her health prevented her from being active in recent years.
June was married in 1960 to John Hutton Patton but was sadly widowed in 1966. To this union one son was born, John Sheldon Patton. Years later June met and married Ernest Johnson of Monrovia, CA. They were blessed with one daughter, Dana Lynn. Ernest and June would have celebrated 49 years of marriage this year had she lived until August 16th.
June was employed by Pasadena Unified School District, as an Instructional Aide for 35 years. Concurrently, she worked as After School Program Director for the YMCA. June loved children. Her fun and at times silly demeanor resonated with children. As the Y’s After School Program director, June introduced the children to her other passion, Arts and Crafts. She was always in the hunt for new projects that she could teach, excitedly watching the children’s reactions when she shared her latest craft.
After retirement in 2004, June began Knitting and crocheting everything from blankets to scarfs, from slippers to hats. This was her method of relaxation. As a result her closest friends and family reaped the benefits. They received some pretty snazzy gifts.
June was a very compassionate and caring person. To say she put everyone else’s needs before her own is an understatement. When she saw someone in need she would extend her hand to help. She would bend over backwards for those who needed her assistance. Everyone knew that they could always count on June to be there whenever they called. Her caring nature led her and one of her good friends to start their own Morning prayer line. Every morning June and her friend were on the phone praying for their families and anyone they were asked to pray for.
June also enjoyed spending time with her friends – friendships that lasted more than 70 years. She often recalled the fun times that she shared with “The Girls”. Her circle of close friends included Coty, Joyce, Sondra, Susie, and Sue-Ann. They always made sure to celebrate each other’s birthday by going to dinner or lunch together, a tradition they rarely missed. June cherished the times she spent with her “Girls,” evidenced by the daily phone calls she and Coty shared, the prayers she and Joyce shared, and the many laughs she, Suzie and Sue-Ann shared.
On Saturday, January 20th God called June to rest. She leaves to cherish her loving memory, her husband of almost 49 years – Ernest Johnson, her 96-year-old mother – Eleanor Heard, her brother – John Sidney Heard Jr., her son – John Sheldon Patton and daughter – Dana Lynn Johnson, her “Girls” – Coty, Joyce and Sondra, and a host of nieces, nephews, other family and many dear friends.
