June Lovett Fletcher

June was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. June Thomas Fletcher and Dr. Richard Van Fletcher; and one nephew, Richard Eric Dynesius. She is survived by her siblings, Carol Fletcher Dynesius (Rick) of Davidson, North Carolina and Dr. Richard Van Fletcher, Jr. (Molly) of High Point, North Carolina; and nephew and nieces, R. Van Fletcher, III, Mary Fletcher Pena, and Laura Fletcher Stephenson.

June attended Lookout Mountain Grammar School on Lookout Mountain, Tennessee and graduated from the Girls Preparatory School of Chattanooga. She earned the Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Tufts University (Jackson College) in Medford, Massachusetts, and graduate certifications in Medical Technology and Blood Banking. Ultimately, she received the Master of Business Administration Degree from Saint Mary's College of California.

For several years until her retirement in June 2002, June was Chief Executive Officer for Red Cross of Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Region for Blood Services. Previously in San Jose, California, she served as Regional Director of Laboratory Services for the Red Cross and as Transfusion Service Consultant for the Santa Clara Medical Center.

June had many interests and travelled a lot to places worldwide for business and pleasure, especially after retirement. She especially relished memories of her trip to Russia in the 1970s, and fell in love with Africa, going there three different times to enjoy the wildlife. She had a special place in her heart for elephants.

June was also very civic-minded, working and volunteering for the City of Pelham. Gretchen DiFante, Pelham's City Manager, said June was "an engaged resident who rightly demanded improved governance and transparency from public officials. She was incredibly intelligent, passionate, and encouraging." June loved the Pelham community and volunteered often for any endeavor her Chandalar neighbors needed.

The City of Pelham honored June's dedication and contributions by selecting her as the Grand Marshal of the Christmas Parade in 2022.

After her retirement from the Red Cross, June continued her interests in biology and zoology by volunteering for several Birmingham area organizations:

* She volunteered as a docent at the Birmingham Zoo, teaching school children in handling small ambassador animals. She also trained new Zoo volunteers, and launched a grant program that allows staff to travel to conservation projects around the world.

* At the McWane Science Center, June's #1 duty was to put a smile on everyone's face! She devoted countless hours to working with the volunteer group known as the "Jun Bugs" run by Dr. Jun Ebersole, paleontologist categorizing artifacts.

* June also volunteered and worked closely with the Shelby County Humane Society. Her duties there included often fostering dogs awaiting adoption.

June's family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to all of her doctors. Her family is especially thankful for the dedicated care from the staff at Kirkwood Memory Care, where everyone loved "Miss June"!

In lieu of flowers, June's family requests that memorial gifts be made to the American Red Cross, Disaster Relief for the California fire victims or the North Carolina Hurricane Helene victims, P.O. Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037-0839. Or give to the Jefferson County Greenways Foundation, 1214 81st Street South, Birmingham, AL 35206; the McWane Science Center, 200 19th Street North, Birmingham, AL 35203; or the Shelby County Humane Society, 381 McDow Road, Columbiana, AL 35051.