June Beard Radford

Mills River- June Beard Radford, 93, a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2023. She was a life-long resident of the Asheville area.

June was the youngest of seven children of the late James William Beard and Willie Simpson Beard. She married her husband, the late Charles Leonard Radford, in 1956. Their three children – John, William, and Teresa – were the focus and love of June’s life.

June was born on December 1, 1929, at the beginning of the Great Depression. Her father, James William Beard, was a conductor for Southern Railway. Her beloved mother, Willie Simpson Beard, maintained a comfortable and cheerful home for her large and lively family. Despite the financial challenges of the time, their Biltmore Avenue home often provided meals for neighborhood children as well as unemployed men who often appeared at their door.

June’s brothers Guy, George, Charles and Morris served their country in the war efforts of the 1940s. After the war they led successful careers as engineers and soldiers. June’s oldest sister, Evelyn Simpson, was an important figure in her life. Evelyn and her husband John provided guidance and support to June following the death of Charles in 1981. June was closest in age to her sister Dorothy, and they were classmates throughout school. June remained close to both sisters throughout the years despite living in different states.

While growing up in Asheville, June attended Newton Elementary School and David Millard Junior High School. She graduated from Lee Edwards High School in the class of 1947. She had a long career as a federal employee working for the Veterans Administration and the National Climatic Data Center.

June met her husband Charles when they were both avid bowlers in the 1950s. She had a life-long love of hiking, the outdoors, and traveling when she could. But spending time with her family was always her favorite activity.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and siblings. She is survived by her daughter Teresa Radford of Fletcher, NC; her son John Radford and his wife Natalie of Coppell, TX; and her son William Radford and his wife Kimberly Coalson of Santa Barbara, CA. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Sean Brantley, Scot Brantley, Arden Radford, and Alec Radford.

A private Graveside Service will be held at Calvary Churchyard in Fletcher.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to Conserving Carolina, (www.conservingcarolina.org) in Hendersonville, NC.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.