June Cope

Sikeston, Mo. – Kathleen June Cope, 99, a lifetime Scott County resident, died March 16, 2017 at her home in Sikeston. Born June 1, 1917, in Chaffee, MO to the late Mary and James Chewning, June was graduated from Blodgett High School where she was an honors student and basketball player. In 1936, she married R. H. “Rusty” Cope.

A faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Sikeston for more than 80 years, June taught Beginner Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was an accomplished seamstress and active in the Girl Scouts as a troop leader and a counselor at Camp Latonka. She was also a poll volunteer for dozens of local and national elections.

June worked in the Sikeston Middle School guidance office for nearly 20 years. Always a good listener, she stood up for lots of students who needed a friend. In the late sixties, she and Rusty renovated his mother’s former boarding house, where June lived with great determination for the rest of her life.

In addition to her parents, and beloved in-laws Alma and Milton Cope, and husband, Rusty, June was preceded in death by her sister Floy Chewning, and three brothers Ural, Harold, and Jack Chewning.

June is survived by her children Ray Cope (Susan), of Panama City, FL, and Mary Jane (Phil) Grinstead of Chicago, IL; her adored grandchildren Jennifer (Eric) Warden of Southlake, TX, and Brian (Cher) Cope of Plano, TX; and her four much-loved great-grandchildren Kyle Eric Warden, Molly Lynn Warden, and Samantha Kate Warden, of Southlake, TX, and Josie Marie Cope of Plano, TX.

Visitation will be Tuesday, March 21 at 9 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Sikeston until the time of the memorial service at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor David Ross officiating. Burial will follow at the Cope family plot in the Blodgett Cemetery at Blodgett. Nunnelee Funeral Chapel, Sikeston, MO is handling arrangements.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the First Baptist Church, 1101 N. Main St., Sikeston, MO 63801 or the Blodgett Cemetery Fund, 3557 State Highway H, Sikeston, MO 63801.

Arrangements under the direction of Nunnelee Funeral Chapel, Sikeston, MO.