June Elaine Burks Mathes, 101, passed away peacefully May 7, 2017. June was the last of her family that came to Oklahoma in the Land Run of 1893 where her mother was an infant in the back of a covered wagon. Eventually settling in the Panhandle, her family were among the first farmers, ranchers, cowboys, and bankers in "no-mans land" before Statehood. Born in Hooker, Oklahoma in 1915, June grew up with her sisters Thelma Burks Shaw and Clarabelle Burks Mathes on a small farm among miles of wheat fields. Her tales of the Depression, the Dust Bowl and endless crop failures during her teen years showed how challenging it must have been for her parents John Burks and Laura Fogelsong Burks to save the family farm while providing a happy life for the girls. June's creativity, imagination, and leadership she was known for began at Hooker High School where she seemed to be in every club, read all the books in the school library, and was Valedictorian. She graduated from Panhandle College in Goodwell and attended OU while studying education. June discovered that with teaching, she could combine her skills in art, music, and creativity and filled her classrooms with energy and imagination that kept students engaged. Awarded the Teacher of the Year for Hilldale Elementary in 1974, she later retired after over 40 years of teaching. June married banker Chester Mathes on Christmas Day 1949. Together they built a compound of two houses and playhouse for the boys with the help of family and friends who knew how to swing a hammer. She gave her time and skills tirelessly and happily at many Oklahoma City educational organizations and was a founding member of 50 years at Kappa Kappa Iota, 25 years as docent at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, and decades at the MacDowell Club and PEO. June was an active member of Linwood Methodist Church for over 60 years where she helped her sister with the kindergarten program for 50 years. She was President of the United Methodist Women and in later years, was a mentor in Whizkids and the OKC Literacy Coalition. An accomplished painter, water colorist and decorator, all those who knew her enjoyed the imaginative themed artwork, table decorations, and creative programs she created by hand for hundreds of events over many decades. June traveled to paint in Mexico, to Europe twice, and across the West to see her sons, grandchildren and dozens of bus trips with her sister Clarabelle. June is survived by her son John of Albuquerque, NM, his wife Glenda, son Bob of Twin Lakes, CO, and grandchildren Kayla Mathes and Carson Mathes. Her kindness and sincerity will be missed and we are happy to know she is together with her sisters. A memorial service will be held at a later date where her far-flung family will reunite to celebrate her life. She would encourage all to volunteer and give at an Oklahoma charity of their choice and to visit "June's Cabin", the little log cabin built in her honor, in the children's area of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.