June Alene Tarkington

June Tarkington, 83, entered the kingdom of heaven on Friday, May 2, 2014 with her family by her side. Memorial service: 10:30 a.m. Thursday at J E Foust Funeral Home Chapel. Interment 12:30 p.m. in Dallas - Fort Worth National Cemetery.

June was born November 18th, 1930 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Vernon and Eva (Slagle) Moody; the youngest of 6 children. When she was 18 she met the love of her life, Randolph S. Tarkington while he was serving in the Air Force. They were married in 1949 and moved to Montana where they had their first son, Randy. When Randolph finished his service they moved to his home town of Little Rock Arkansas and they had 2 more children a son Terry and a daughter, Karen. Then in 1961 they moved their family to Texas.

June was a homemaker but she also worked outside the home at different times. She taught English at Handley Middle School in Fort Worth for a few years and worked for the Housing Authority in Texarkana helping disadvantaged families find homes. For several years she also helped in her daughter’s child care centers working as a preschool teacher and cook. June was forever an optimist and an encourager. She was always there to lend a helping hand or offer words of comfort to anyone in need. She loved helping people and especially children. She was a second mother to several of her middle school students and a special “Nanny” to dozens of preschoolers at her daughter’s child care centers.

June also loved traveling and being outdoors anywhere near a lake. June shared her family’s passion for camping and fishing. After her husband retired they bought a travel trailer and traveled all over the United States. They created wonderful memories at every stop. June was adored by her family and also by everyone whose life she touched.

June was exceptionally proud of all of her children and the type of people they had become. June also adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed spending time with each and every one of them. One of her favorite pass times was going to yard sales and resale shops to find toys for them to play with when they came to visit.

Her love of life, willingness to help and eternal optimism were ever present. June’s sweet smiling face, love of family, and the Lord were inspirational and will be sorely missed.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Randolph Tarkington, June was preceded in death by her sisters, Kas Carnahan, Jane Fern, and Mildred String, and brother, Frank Moody.

Survivors: sons, Randy Lee Tarkington of Azle, TX, Terry Tarkington and his wife Ann of Longview, TX. One daughter, Karen Curran and her husband Brett of Colleyville, TX

12 Grandchildren: Shauna Mullins, Bryan Glennon, Andy Eads, Tara Tarkington, Hanna Tarkington, Jonathon Tarkington, Nathan Tarkington, Abigail Tarkington, Alexis Tarkington, Lindsay Nickell, Brittany Curran, and Brett Lee Curran

8 Great Grandchildren: Taylor Mulvihill, Morgan Mulvihill, Presley Mullins, Hayden Glennon, Riley Glennon, Kenna Glennon, Colton Nickell, and Catelynne Nickell

Sister: Betty Kogut