The little white United Methodist Church on Main Street in Websters Crossing was filled to capacity on Saturday, March 10, 2012 as residents and past residents bade farewell and celebrated a life well-lived by its beloved Grandma Perkins. M. June Baker was born on June 24, 1916, the daughter of Jotham and Sue Palmer Baker, in an era when young ladies were taught manners, posture, and deportment. She learned those lessons well and in her 95 years of life she taught many generations the lessons she learned as a young girl. She was first and foremost a lady who loved life, her family, and the people she came in contact with and she was remembered by former Pastor Jeri Kober for her hospitality and "can do" attitude.
Former residents traveled from all points to remember the lady who held tea parties for them as children; who decorated her home and church for every holiday, and who taught more by her example than by words. Pastor Kober remembered the home visits she made and the wonderful double-sized cut-out cookies she took home with her. She also remembered June for her service to her church and the people of her community. It seemed June was the "go to" person when something was needed for a dinner or event at the church, and whatever it was that was missing from a table decoration or for an event, when June produced it from her own cache of items it became an elegant arrangement or centerpiece.
June was a mother to four children, a grandmother and great-grandmother to several, and as of February 1, of this year a great-great grandmother. One child, Charles "Buster" Perkins preceded her in death in 2005. Her beloved husband, Charles Perkins, whom June married September 5, 1936, preceded her in death in 2007. During the course of their 70 year marriage they lived through adversity and saw hardships, but June did not complain. She cared for her mother after her father died in 1976, until Mrs. Baker's death in 1981 (also at the age of 95 years).
June was a member of the Women's Society of the Websters Crossing UMC and Pastor Kober remembered that long before computers, if someone needed to know the name or number of someone in the church hierarchy, they were referred to June, who was a walking wealth of knowledge.
When the church celebrated its 100th anniversary two years ago, it was June who sat with Katherine Humphrey and compiled the history of its founding. Although she was ill at the time, she still remembered the wonderful history that Katherine Humphrey read during the anniversary service. June loved history, and was a founding member of the Springwater~Websters Crossing Historical Society. Members remember with great fondness the many items of historical significance she added to their meetings.
June leaves her three daughters, Linda Guffey of Honeoye, Meredith (Joseph) Pikulski of California, Jo Ann Perkins of Websters Crossing and her daughter-in-law, Florence Perkins and their many children and grandchildren to mourn her. She also leaves a community who loved her in life and will remember her always as a very special lady who made time to listen and never interrupted anyone. She was the personification of what a true "lady" was in an era when many of us are often too busy to make time for others. That unique quality of grace under fire that many of us ascribe to but never quite attain will long be remembered with much love by many generations who were privileged to have known June Perkins.
