June Travis Elaine Maynard Peeples

June Peeples went home to be with the Lord on November 29, 2020. She is survived by her husband, Michael; her sons Matt (wife Amy), Mark (wife Eun-ji), and Tim Weidknecht; grandchildren Parker, William, and Joy June. She is preceded in death by her parents, Travis and Opal; and sister Carole.

Born June 1949, June spent her adolescent years in Garland, TX. Her family were active members of the Church of Christ. An exemplary student, she was a member of FTA, National Honor Society, an officer in German Club and FHA, and a semi-finalist in the 1965 “Miss Teen Age Dallas” contest. June graduated from Garland High School, completing her high school credits in Lubbock while simultaneously beginning her college education at Lubbock Christian College. From an early age, June was beautiful, outgoing, and well spoken. As a teen, she used her drive, faith, passion, and talents to earn a place among the Youth Freedom Speakers. She traveled the nation with H.L. Hunt, speaking about God and country. June also had an appearance on the Art Linkletter show where she shared her passion for God and her country. One of her most notable social functions was a reception given by Wendall Niles of Hollywood where she was a guest of honor and met and talked with Walt Disney, Greer Garson, Fred McMurray and many other screen stars.

While at Lubbock Christian College she met her husband, Mike. On September 8th, 1965 the two were married in Garland. They settled in Austin and, after difficulties with pregnancy and thinking their dreams of having a family wouldn’t come true, God blessed them with a beautiful son, Matt. June dedicated her life to her role as wife and mother. A few years later and a move to Temple, TX, their youngest son Mark was born. Life brought Mike and June back to the Dallas area where they would raise their sons into adulthood. June’s passion for being in the spotlight drove her to write, direct, and star in several religious plays and take an active role in the annual production of Hebron Parkway Church of Christ’s vacation bible school. Her passion, combined with her intellect and respect for education brought her to Texas Women’s University where she, at 40, earned a Masters degree in theatre, graduating Magna cum Laude. She was active in the theatre community across the Dallas area for many years performing in several locally produced plays where she earned respect and recognition and was named Best Actress of the ‘94-‘95 season at the Runway Theatre for her portrayal of Ethel Mayer in “On Golden Pond”. During this period, she also kept the books for Mike’s Engineering firm and ran the household. With two rowdy teenage boys at home, successfully maintaining all of this simultaneously was nothing short of a miracle.

June was a devout Christian, living her life for Christ in an unapologetic and uncompromising manner. She understood deeply what she believed, she consistently lived by those beliefs, and she taught others through her example. Actively involved in the Church, she worked with children’s groups, mentoring and teaching, performing engaging skits and speaking to encourage others to find their faith and love for Christ. She loved writing music, poetry, performing, and sharing her passion for Christianity and life. Most of all, she loved her family. June supported Mike during the darkest times. She took Travis, her father, into her home during the last months of his life to care for him. She kept her boys on the right path and brought them back to it when necessary regardless of their age or their stubbornness. She brought Matt and Mark’s friends into her home and did the same for them, most notably Tim, who effectively became her third son and brother to Matt and Mark. She left a permanent impact on the lives she touched. She was a force, a fearless protector of her boys, and she rarely lost an argument. Her wit, humor, determination, ability to tell a story, and always-entertaining personality is who we will remember. A service to celebrate June’s life will be held at a later date.