June Cavelle Edwards

June Cavelle Edwards was born in St. John's, Antigua, West Indies on June 22, 1942.

The third child of Claude Pitt (deceased) and Carmen Viola Edwards (deceased), June was a trailblazer. Her life's journey of success began at the Foundation Mixed School (aka Ms. Davis' Private School) in Antigua. Upon graduating from Marnix High School in Curacao, Dutch West Indies, she returned to Antigua. In 1961, at the tender age of 19, a young woman with big dreams, full of adventure, and eager to start her life on her terms, June made the journey alone to the “Big Apple” - New York City!  Her ideals of her new life in the Big Apple were quickly harnessed by the realities of her new home as she learned life was not easy for Black people in New York City in 1961. After living a charmed life in Antigua and bi-lingual in Dutch, finding gainful yet respectable employment was impossible. June, with no family and few friends to lean on, pushed her pride aside and took work as a domestic for rich families on Park Avenue for a time in order to survive, self-fund her education, and prepare a way for her parents, four younger siblings, and a nephew to be able to also make their way to the United States.  Life was hard but she persevered. She was faithful and always believed God would order her steps as long as she remained obedient to Him.

Always focused, never afraid of a challenge or navigating her way through unchartered waters, June remained committed to her goals. While working and taking classes toward her nursing degree at New York City University, (aka City University of New York) June struggled. In 1966, noticing her challenges, her brother-in-law, Vincent Luke, encouraged her to enlist in the Air Force. That decision set June on a trajectory toward overcoming many of the struggles she’d faced and set her on a course toward her chosen profession, i.e., nursing, true independence, and financial freedom. While stationed in Hawaii, June was part of the medical corps where her love of caring for others flourished. While in the Air Force she rose to the rank of Sergeant and became a U.S. citizen. After leaving the Air Force, and maintaining her commitment to completing her education, June enrolled in and graduated from San Francisco State University where she obtained her B.S. degree in Nursing. By this time, she was successful in assisting her parents and remaining younger siblings and nephew in coming to the United States and obtaining their citizenship. She stayed focused and kept charging forward. Over the next 30 years, June built a formidable career as a Registered Nurse in specialty areas of OB/GYN and critical care. She worked at various hospitals in Hawaii, California, New Mexico, and four years at King Faisal Hospital in Saudi Arabia - just prior to the beginning of the Gulf War in the early 1990s. Nearing the end of her nursing career, but prior to retirement, June obtained another degree in the Culinary Arts and became a Pastry Chef. Her love of the culinary arts was nothing new as she was known for her love of foods, spices, and the joy food brings to all those who dined at her table. In addition to being an avid and voracious reader, biblical historian, self-professed lover of fine jewelry and indigenous art (Native American, Bedouin), and original artwork by African and African American artists, June could converse on a variety of topics but, most importantly had a big heart. She was a giver and a philanthropist. She did not boast or make her giving public but, over the course of her life, she made sizeable monetary donations and contributions to many causes especially those that benefitted Veterans, women, children, culturally and ethnically disenfranchised groups, family and friends. She loved music - everything from Bach to Calypso to Hip Hop – Biggie and Queen Latifah, especially! She kept up with Pop Culture and, was a proud supporter of the Black Lives Matter Movement. Never marrying (albeit proposed to twice!) with no children of her own, June poured herself into her work and the causes she believed in. Every Sunday, she, and her best friend and older sister, Elaine, would talk for hours and whenever needed she’d lend her support to her other siblings, family, and friends. June valued her privacy up to the time of her death. On July 21, 2020, as she slept, God gifted her with her golden ticket to heaven and she departed this life. At the end of every conversation June would seldom say “goodbye” but instead would always end the call with powerful words of encouragement, hope and promise by instructing you to remember to “Keep on looking up!” Her unwavering faith, trust, and commitment to God reminded us that in “looking up” God will always shine his light upon us and order our steps.

A Cenotaph, inscribed with her name, will honor her in the Veteran’s section at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, Albuquerque, NM. June’s surviving siblings include: Hazel Bird; Errol Edwards (Ruth); Elaine Luke (Vincent); Phyllis Edwards; Dr. Gregson Edwards; Claude Edwards, Jr. (Ann); Ava Edwards. Her nieces and nephews include: Thomas Ernest Edwards (Bridgette); Dr. Vivian Luke; Trevor Edwards; David Edwards; Jon Erik Edwards (Mirako); Amber Edwards Reese (Johnathan); Andrew Edwards; Marvin Edwards; Laticia (Edwards) Pate (Akhi); as well as several great nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends.

“Keep on looking up!”