Mrs. Martha Louise Wilkins June was born December 13, 1943, to the late Curtis Wilkins and the late Emma Lee Thompson.  She went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday February 1, 2025, at Carolina Rehabilitation of Burke in Connelly Springs.  Martha was educated in the Hickory City School System and following graduation, received additional training at Western Piedmont Community College to work as an EMT.  She worked as a healthcare technician for many years, working for such local physicians as Dr. Shah Khan and Dr. Barcari.  Martha also worked at Western Carolina Center (presently known as J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center) for nearly 30 years.

Martha loved her community and was involved in several organizations including Status of Women of Burke County – where she became the first woman of color to head this organization – and the Auxiliary of Abused and Battered Women.  She was a devoted member of New Hope in Christ Church under the leadership of Pastor LaTrese Lyerly where she served as President of the Pastor's Aide ministry.  Her love for God was also reflected through the love and devotion she had to her family.  In addition to her biological parents, she was preceded in death by her surrogate parents, who reared her, Raymond and Sarah Blackburn; sisters Georgia Bigelow and Bertha Vaughters; brothers Curtis "Pete" Wilkins  Paul Blackburn, and Robert Wilkins; three grandsons, and one great-grandson also preceded her in death.

Left to mourn her loss but cherish her precious memories are her children: Willie June Jr. (Gail), Kenneth June, and Nessie June all of Morganton; siblings Rosa Ramseur of Hickory, Roy Williams of Orange, NJ, Daisy Oakley, Blanch Wilkins, Ronald Wilkins (Vanessa), and Donald Wilkins, all of Morganton; twenty-eight grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Mrs. Martha June will take place Saturday February 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at New Hope in Christ Church with Bro. Kenneth June serving as eulogist; the family will receive friends thirty minutes prior to the service.

The service will be livestreamed on the McCain Funeral Home & Cremations Facebook page and YouTube Channel; the links are found below:

McCain Funeral Home & Cremations Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/mccainfuneralhome/

McCain Funeral Home & Cremations YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu4qb7IT7sO-Kc0BRs05J-A