Nellie "June" Sewell

June Watson Sewell was born on November 27, 1928 in Ryal, Oklahoma to Beryl and Joe Bob Watson. She was the youngest of seven children. Her father owned a country store at Ryal and, because her mother ran the store, June was raised in the center of the small community. She graduated as valedictorian from Graham High School in 1947 and attended East Central State College in Ada where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in education in 1950. While attending college, she met and married the love of her life, Raymond Sewell. They were married for 71 years. June taught in Oklahoma's public schools and at Bacone College for 29 years. While she taught all grades from kindergarten to college, fourth grade students were always her favorites. She also taught English, Literature, Drama, Home Economics, and, after obtaining her Master's Degree, she taught Spanish. Her final teaching years were spent in Muskogee Public Schools, where she retired in 1987. Following retirement, she volunteered to teach English to students who spoke only Spanish for which she received the One Thousand Points of Light Award. June enjoyed teaching and often said that "the gleam in a student's eye when she or he has gained a concept has no price tag." Her greatest honors included being chosen Muskogee Education Association's Friend to Education and being named Very Important Member for the Oklahoma Retired Educators Association. She was active in the Oklahoma Retired Educators Association, the Muskogee Shakespeare Club, the Oklahoma Federated Democratic Women's Association, and the Muskogee County Democratic Party. She was a member of the Muskogee Church of Christ. June is survived by her husband, Raymond; daughters, Sheila Sewell of Oklahoma City and Lana Reed and son-in-law Don Reed of Muskogee; grandchildren, Rachael Gilliam, Lauren Ritchie, and Donna Bray of Muskogee, Aaron and Krissy Ritchie of Broken Arrow, Alix Golden, Kayla Sewell, Julie Sewell, and Lance Sewell of Oklahoma City; and great grandchildren, Jack Gilliam, Olivia Gilliam, and Zian Bray of Muskogee; nieces, nephews, and extended family. She is preceded in death by her son, Frank Sewell; and grandson, Todd Reed. The family extends warm thanks to the staff of Broadway Manor for the care they showed to their wife and mother. A celebration of June’s life will be 1PM, Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at Cornerstone Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. David Burris officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Nellie "June" Sewell

November 27, 1928 - August 1, 2019