Marjorie June Pelphrey

Marjorie June Pelphrey of Rogers passed away at the age of 102 of natural causes on Sept. 18, 2017. June was born on June 6, 1915, in Philadelphia, Pa., the daughter of Winfield Howard and Sarah Taylor White Hagerman. June spent her early years in Atlantic City and Pittman, N.J., and moved to Hollywood, Calif., with her family at age eight. She studied Latin and Greek at Hollywood High School, and was graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in History in 1938, where she was an indispensible member of a modern dance troupe. June married her late husband, David Fremont Pelphrey, in 1939. They were married for 55 years and together had three children, Steve, Joe, and Michelle. In 1957, the Pelphrey family moved to Rogers, Ark., and June became very active in Rogers as a community volunteer with the Girl Scouts of America, the Salvation Army, the Republican Party, and other local organizations. June served in several leadership roles in the Girl Scouts from 1963 to 1974. She was active in organizing Girl Scout Day Camps and worked with the Girl Scout Council to establish their own camp facility in Northwest Arkansas. In 1976, June received a Certificate of Appreciation for Volunteer Service from the Salvation Army and, in 1982, the Salvation Army's Blood and Fire Award for distinguished service. As a key organizer for the Republican Party in Benton County, June's passion was registering voters, recruiting candidates for office, and working to ensure the success of the Republican Party in Arkansas. She was a founding member of the Republican Women's Club of Benton County, and for many years was an integral member of the Benton County Republican Committee. In 2010, she was presented with the Chairman's Award from the Republican Party of Benton County. In 1982, then Mayor John Sampier presented June with the City of Rogers Distinguished Service Award. The award recognized her "unselfish, compassionate and humanitarian contributions to and for the citizens of Rogers through the programs of the Salvation Army, the League of Women Voters, the Audubon Society, the Girl Scouts of America, the United Way and numerous other community agencies and activities." In 1997, June was awarded a Certificate of Recognition as an Outstanding Citizen of the State of Arkansas by then Governor Mike Huckabee. A longstanding member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Rogers, June served as Sunday School superintendent and teacher, Clerk, and Executive Board member. June will be remembered by her family most of all for her love, interest, and attachment to every family member, young and older alike. Affectionately known as "GMom" by her grandchildren and great grandchildren, June was always ready to help, encourage, listen, and spend time with her family regardless of her own busy schedule. She would drop everything to be with family, even in her advanced years, and was often spoken of as the "glue" that united the family. June was preceded in death by her husband, David, and sister, Alice Lavinia DeWeese. June is survived by her children Steve Pelphrey and wife, Lecia, of Rogers; Joe Pelphrey and wife, Deborah, also of Rogers; and Michelle Pelphrey Kraft and husband, Ben, of Crestwood, Mo. She is also survived by grandchildren Jonathan Pelphrey and wife, Irina; Jennifer Pelphrey Jackson and husband, Pete; Joel Pelphrey and wife, Jane; Sam Kraft and wife, Angie; and David Kraft; and by six great-grandchildren, Dasha, Vera, and Alex Pelphrey; Brett and Caroline Jackson; and Avey Kraft. The Pelphrey and Kraft families wish to express their deepest gratitude to the following caregivers who so lovingly ministered to June during her final years: Brenda Schossow and Grace Group, past and present, Allison Baker, Samantha Centeno, Raegin Hardin, Patty Latham, Sandra Lowry, and Joseline Palma; individual caregivers Sandy Krueger, Joel Pelphrey, and Tammy Watkins; the nurses and nursing assistants of "100 Wing" at Ashley Health and Rehabilitation; the nurses and shabazim nursing assistants of House 1301 at Legacy Village Greenhouse Homes; and Catherine Gamez and Ever Faithful Assistance. A private family memorial service at the Benton County Funeral Home will be held on Oct. 28. Interment will follow in the Benton County Memorial Park Cemetery, Rogers. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers. Online condolences to www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com.