June Powell Parrish Hicks

June Powell Parrish Hicks, 80, died February 13, 2009, at Masonic Home of Louisville. A retired educator and community servant, June lived her entire life in Louisville. She graduated first in her class at Parkland Junior High School. Upon graduation from Shawnee High School June received a four-year academic scholarship from Nazareth College (now Spalding University). June graduated magna cum laude, becoming the college’s first education major to graduate with honors and the first member of her family to graduate from college. She also holds a master’s degree from Spalding University and an EDS degree from the University of Louisville. June’s career began in the elementary school classrooms of the former Louisville and Jefferson County school districts. Within 12 years, June joined the Jefferson County Public Schools’ administrative team. June and her colleagues were instrumental in the successful merger of the Louisville and Jefferson County schools and the implementation of the 1975 federal desegregation order. During her tenure with public schools, June also taught graduate-level education courses at Spalding and U of L. After her retirement, June accepted an appointment to the Jefferson County Air Pollution Control District Board and continued her service for 14 years, serving as chair for nine years. June’s civic service continued on the Metro Board of Health, chairing the environmental committee and co-chairing the Marine Hospital committee. An active community volunteer, June was a member of Valley Woman’ Club and past 3rd District Governor for the Kentucky Federation of Women’s Clubs; a longtime volunteer and creator of the Junior Red Cross leadership program for the Louisville Chapter of the American Red Cross; a 50+ year member and past matron of Queen Esther Chapter #1, Order of the Eastern Star; member of Delta Kappa Gamma honor sorority; a former deacon and active member of Servant’s Heart Church; and a lifetime member of the National Education Association and Phi Kappa Phi honor society. June has received numerous honors including the Ira J. Porter Leadership Award from the Louisville Area Chapter of the American Red Cross; the Jefferson Cup from former County Judge-Executive David Armstrong; and the Mayor’s Citation from Mayor Jerry Abramson. In 2004 June was named a Woman of Distinction by The Center for Women and Families. Predeceasing June were her father Moorman E. Powell, her mother Nola Rea Eanes Powell Brigman, her stepfather Emory Lee Brigman, her sisters Vivian Powell and Thelma Howerton, and her husbands Norris Dale Parrish and Charles Hicks. She leaves to carry on her legacy daughters Dale Marie Parrish Jackson and Constance June Parrish, sons-in law Fredrick Jackson and David Williamson, her granddaughter Emily Layne Jackson, her grandson Bryan Fredrick Jackson and his wife Sarah McCart Jackson, her cousin Floyd “Sonny” Tuttle, and her niece Cheri Howerton Rayles. Visitation will be Monday from 2 to 8 pm at Owen Funeral Home-Jeffersontown, 9318 Taylorsville Road. The funeral service will be Tuesday at 11 am also at Owen Funeral Home-Jeffersontown, followed by a private burial service. The family requests that all expressions of sympathy or in remembrance of June’s remarkable life be made in the form of donations to the Masonic Homes of Kentucky Capital Campaign (3761 Johnson Hall Drive, Masonic Home, KY 40041) or to Servant’s Heart Church, (12100 Taylorsville Rd., Louisville, KY 40299).