June Golson Eby

June Golson Eby died at the home of her granddaughter and her family Thursday, October 5, 2023, at the blessed age of 104.

June Wesley Golson was born June 25, 1919, in Mer Rouge, Louisiana, where her father was a planter and the local dentist. A descendant of pioneer west Ouachita Parish families, Mrs. Eby was the eldest child of Neita Webb Golson and Dr. John Wesley Golson, who subsequently lived on North Second Street in West Monroe in a home that has remained in the family since that time. 

Mrs. Eby’s upbringing was distinguished by parents whom she thought near perfect, along with a close-knit family of many aunts, uncles and cousins and a loving community of friends. The Great Depression was a difficult time for her but did not dampen the way Mrs. Eby approached and responded to life with thrift and resiliency.

Mrs. Eby attended Millsaps Elementary, Ouachita Parish High School and Northeast State College, now University of Louisiana at Monroe, where she was selected a campus beauty.

Mrs. Eby was married to John Christian Eby, formerly of Cottonport Plantation in West Monroe, on August 24, 1938, and began her married life at 105 Texas Avenue in Monroe as wife, mother to two children and loving caretaker to her parents-in-law, grandmother-in-law and young brothers-in-law. Mrs. Eby’s role as caretaker extended to her own parents in later years. 

The Eby family attended Grace Episcopal Church in Monroe until 1954 when they were asked to begin a mission church to serve the south side of Monroe. The first service of Holy Communion of the small mission of St. Alban’s Church was held in the living room of the Eby home on Texas Avenue, and Mrs. Eby’s love for the church never wavered. St. Alban’s Church was a mainstay in her and her family’s life and continues to be to this day.

The Ebys moved to Marie Place in 1957, their family complete with the arrival of their third child. The Marie Place house was a true haven for children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family, and friends. 

In addition to her church work, Mrs. Eby was an early member of the Junior Charity League. Dear to her heart was a bridge group which met on Thursdays for over forty years. Although she did not play bridge, the friendships made, and relationships sustained with the women of the “Thursday Club” were of profound importance and a joy for Mrs. Eby.

A woman of grace, June Eby had a large circle of friends from all walks of life and could be depended upon to offer support and wisdom to anyone – without judgment, and with great love, compassion and true hospitality. Her family, to whom she was more than devoted, is grateful for her strong love and good humor, up to the last moments of her long life.

June Golson Eby is preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years, her parents, her sister Jane Golson Cutler and husband Billy, her nephew Ralph Wesley Cutler, her son-in-law Thomas Harry McGehee, and her daughter-in-law Sandra Mitchell Eby.

Left to cherish her memory are her three children, Lynda Eby McGehee of Winter Park, Florida, John Christian Eby, Jr., and Leah Eby Stewart and husband Glenn, all of Monroe.

Mrs. Eby became "Mama June” with the arrival of her treasured grandchildren, all of whom adored her, Lionel Eby Smith-McGehee and husband Tom of Orlando, Florida, Elizabeth Mills McGehee and husband Donald Straka of Dodgeville, Wisconsin, Amy McGehee FitzGerald and husband Todd of West Hartford, Connecticut, Wesley Eby Johnson and husband Bruce of Monroe, June Crosley McGehee of Lancaster, Wisconsin, John Christian Eby III and husband George of Monroe, Shelley Stewart Crowder and husband Ben of Wylie, Texas and Grover Webb Stewart of Monroe, who lovingly called his grandmother “June-June."

Precious to Mama June are her great grandchildren, Grace Coyne Harper and partner Falcon of Oakland, California, Hannah Rose Coyne of Barneveld, Wisconsin, Emma Jane Johnson LeMeunier and husband Jacob of Lafayette, Kate Crosley Smith-McGehee of Orlando, Florida, Helen McLain Johnson of Monroe, Stella Eby FitzGerald of West Hartford, Connecticut, Keith Christian Johnson of Monroe, Florine Kendrick FitzGerald of West Hartford, Connecticut, and Ava Jane Crowder of Wylie, Texas; her darling great great grandson, Beau Francis LeMeunier of Lafayette and her much-loved nephew John Golson Cutler and his wife Judy of Monroe, and her grandniece, Ashley Layne Cutler and fiancé Todd Escalona of Lafayette.

The Eby family is particularly indebted and deeply grateful to Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care and to Mrs. Eby’s loving caretakers in her last years, especially Donna, Mesee, Connie, Catherine, Sandra, and Gloria. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 2816 Deborah Drive, Monroe, Louisiana 71201 or the charity of your choice. 

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 P.M. on December 27, 2023, at Grace Episcopal Church. The Reverend T. Whitfield Stodghill III will officiate. Private graveside prayers for the family will be held at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery. 

The family will receive visitors in McLean Hall at St. Alban’s Church on December 26, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.