Anna June Hardcastle

Anna June Rollins Sager Hardcastle transitioned to her new home in heaven on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 in Dripping Springs, Texas. She was much beloved by many new and longtime friends and relatives for her exceptional kindness, generosity of spirit and humor. Many have often noted that she was the embodiment of the goodness we all hope to find in others here on earth.

June had many accomplishments in her life but the greatest of these was her ability to show love and care toward others. Through her example, she inspired others to offer the same to the world. Most everyone in her life mentions this first when speaking of her.

June was born in Norman on April 19, 1927 to Nola Alsup and Richard Rollins. She considered herself fortunate to have had many cousins, aunts, uncles and friends within the community.

June was a proud graduate of Norman High and the University of Oklahoma, School of Journalism (class of 1950). She was an active student at OU and was well respected by President George Cross. She was the recipient of a scholarship toward a Master’s Degree given to the outstanding Journalism undergraduate. She was a member of Gamma Alpha Chi (advertising fraternity for women), Theta Sigma Phi (journalism fraternity for women) and Kappa Alpha Mu (photojournalism fraternity). She served as advertising manager for the Oklahoma Daily and worked in advertising on Covered Wagon and KUVY. She was secretary of the International Club and publicity chairman for Pan American Week. She spoke often throughout her life of Pan American Week. The stated purpose of this event (April 1949) was to “offer a glorious example of how men of sister nations can work together toward common goals of peace and understanding, progress and mutual respect”. These were sentiments that she mentioned throughout her entire life and she always loved to meet people from other cultures.

On June 16, 1946, June married Bill Sager. After several years in Norman, they relocated to Denison, Texas where she became the Editor and Business Manager of a Lake Texoma magazine. Later she worked in the advertising department for the Denison Herald and the Sherman Democrat. She participated in many civic events in the Denison community. In July of 1956 Carol was born and she began to devote her time and attention to her new daughter.

June returned to Norman in 1962 and worked in the advertising department of the Norman Transcript for over 25 years. She was a well-respected member of the team and enjoyed her time there. On one occasion, she returned to work late at night to meet a deadline and was found working in her pajamas. She laughed a lot at that story. The staff, also, once attached a huge cardboard key to the top of her Volkswagen Bug. She worked hard but had fun as well.

She lived in Norman until 2013 when she moved to Dripping Springs, Texas to be near Carol’s family. Her final two years were spent at Hill Country Senior Care with daily visits from Carol, Mike (Carol’s husband), and granddaughters Tara and Jenny. She enjoyed frequent phone calls from loved ones and visits from out of town friends and family. The staff and residents loved her and took excellent care of her. She made some important new friendships there. Although she was ill with cancer, her spirit was strong and she was often heard to say that she was “lucky” and “still having fun”.

She was a devoted and caring mother to Carol and Richard. She was a much beloved grandma to Tara, Jenny and Charlene. She always encouraged her granddaughters to work hard and be the best they could possibly be but, above all else, to be sweet. Her family meant the world to June – and that very much included people who became like family to her over the years. She will be greatly missed.