Elizabeth June (McKneely) Morgan

Elizabeth “June" McKneely Morgan, 80, of Edmond, OK lost her battle with Alzheimer's disease surrounded by the love of her family on Wednesday December 7, 2022. Visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Thursday, December 15, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church in Rolla, Missouri. Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, December 15, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church in Rolla, Missouri. Burial to follow in the Rolla Cemetery. All arrangements are under the care of Wilson Mortuary, Salem MO. In lieu of flowers the family suggests honoring June with a donation to the charity of your choice. June was born June 20, 1942 in Houma, LA to Lucile Jackson and Eldridge Leighton McKneely. She started school in Cotton Valley, LA and graduated from Ruston High School in Ruston, LA. She had 3 siblings: Ronald “Ronny” Keith McKneely, David Jackson McKneely and Martha Rebecca McKneely Hogg. While at RHS, she was active in SubDeb Club, FHA and band, where she was a drum majorette in the Ruston High Marching Band. June was accomplished on both the piano and the clarinet. She was Miss Lincoln Parish and competed in the Miss Louisiana Competition. June was educated as an upper elementary school teacher at Louisiana Tech, East Texas Baptist, and then graduated from Arizona State University with a BS in Education. She taught in a one and two room school in Phelps County, MO. June was married to Dr. Johnie Derald Morgan on June 23, 1962 in Ruston, LA at the Trinity Methodist Church with the groom’s father Dr. John Morgan presiding. They are the parents of four children: Laura Elizabeth Naff (Charles “Tracy") of Edmond, OK, CPA at Henderson Hills Baptist Church; Kimberly Ann Morgan (Mike Webb) of Rolla, MO, Owner of Trips and More Travel Agency; Rebecca Ruth Ware (William, deceased) of Richardson, TX, math teacher at The Winston School; Johnie Derald Morgan, Jr. (Carolina) of Ft Worth, TX, Civil Engineer City of Arlington, TX. They have 11 grandchildren: Elizabeth “Beth" Allen (Clark), Phillip Michael Borthacyre (deceased), Harrison Ford Naff (Aurora), Hannah Elizabeth Naff, Hayley Morgan Naff, William “Braden” Ware, Macy Ruth Ware, Lucas Jackson Ware, Johnie Derald Morgan III, Samuel Hilario Morgan and Leighton James Morgan, and two great grandchildren: Blake Elizabeth Allen and Camden Edward Allen. June was preceded in death by her parents, her brother David McKneely, her grandson Phillip Borthacyre, her son-in-law William “Billy” Ware, and her sister-in-law Ann McKneely. She is survived by her husband, her children and their spouses, 10 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, her sister Rebecca Hogg (Bill), brother Ronnie McKneely, sister-in-law Connie McKneely, sister-in-law Ruth Hagg (Alvin), brother-in-law Michael Morgan, and her nieces and nephews. June spent much of her time volunteering and giving back to her community. She was active in the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), United Methodist Women (UMW), and Girl Scouts where she achieved the highest honor of Curved Bar (now known as the Gold Award) and served as a troop leader for many years. She supported Derald in all his professional and volunteer activities. She dedicated herself to her church and loved teaching Sunday School, confirmation classes, and leading the Methodist Youth Fellowship with Derald. Her dedication to her mission of educating the younger generation about God’s love made an impact throughout the various places that they called home. One of June’s most special talents was oil painting. She loved to paint as time allowed - even giving her paintings to the UMW to sell for their fundraisers. A few of her paintings have been retained by the family and are truly cherished. She and Derald enjoyed their trips across all of the USA, Europe, South America, Canada and Turkey. Her favorite trip was to the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon. One favorite pastime was watching sports with the family and they frequently attended football and basketball games together. She liked to dance and would buy practice tapes and sign up for lessons to take with her husband - even though he had two left feet. June took pride in cooking meals for her family and sewing for her children and grandchildren and she often spent her time reading her bible and attending studies. June has lived with Alzheimer’s disease for the last 18 years, spending the last 8 years being cared for at Touchmark and Iris Memory Care Center and their caring staff. The family is grateful that her body and mind are no longer suffering here on earth and that she is now in her heavenly home, healed, and at peace.

Elizabeth June (McKneely) Morgan

June 20, 1942 - December 7, 2022