Mrs. June Caroline Torrence

June Carolyn Torrence was born on February 22, 1943, to Johnnie G. Jones and Mollie Jones in Yazoo, Mississippi. Sometime in the mid-1940's, Mollie and Johnnie G. moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and June soon followed as a young girl and began her new life. June attended Milwaukee Public Schools for her K-12 education and graduated from North Division High School in 1961. Prior to June's graduation, she met and married Willie Torrence Jr. in 1959. Together, they built a family. Willie Jr. entered the military, and June went on to work in several nursing homes throughout the city of Milwaukee. After having a variety of jobs in healthcare, June worked over 20 years at the Milwaukee County Mental Health Complex. After her 1 st retirement, June continued working as a full-time live-in caregiver for Mr. Tom Gillian. June will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, and many talents. She had a passion for playing cards, bingo, and Pokeno, always bringing laughter and joy to those around her during game nights. An incredibly gifted seamstress, June created countless beautiful pieces including outfits, prom dresses, quilts, and other cherished items. Her love for quilting extended beyond her home as she was an active member of the Cross Lutheran Church Quilt Ministry, dedicating her time and skills to meaningful projects. June also enjoyed visiting the Adult Center, where she engaged in various social activities and built lasting friendships. If you knew June well, you knew her love for movies, especially classic cowboy films, which she could watch time and time again. Above all, June cherished her family. She found her greatest joy in spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her sweet and kindhearted nature left a lasting impact on everyone she met, always seeing the good in others and spreading warmth wherever she went. June's gentle spirit and loving presence will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by all who knew her. June's life was a beautiful testament to her unwavering faith and love for others. From a young age, she accepted Christ into her life and carried that faith with her throughout her 82 years. She found comfort in reading the Bible and listening to gospel music, often drawing strength from her favorite scriptures: 1 John 3: 1 6 and Psalm 23:7. Blessed with a beautiful voice, June shared her gift of song in various choirs at Cross Lutheran Church, Sycamore Place, and numerous community choirs. Two gospel songs that brought her the most comfort and strength were Sometimes It Takes a Mountain and The Battle Is the Lord's. Her voice and spirit uplifted countless hearts, leaving a lasting impression wherever she sang. June's love extended to her cherished pets, whom she adored as family. Over the years, her home was filled with the joyful presence of her beloved dogs - Mandela, China, Jazzy, and Bullet - as well as her treasured cats- Snowball, Faye Fay, Moses, and Smokey. Each one.held a special place in her heart, and she cared for them with endless affection. Among her family, June was best known for her incredible cooking skills. Her dressing and spaghetti were legendary, and family members would often ask, "Who made this?" hoping to hear that Nana had made it. Whether known as Nana, Mama June, June Baby, or one of her many other loving nicknames, she will be deeply missed for her warmth, generosity, and fun-loving spirit. Her legacy of kindness and love will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her. June departed this life on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. She was preceded in death by her: parents, Johnnie and Mollie Jones; husband, Willie Torrence Jr.; sister, Carmen Faison; brothers, Frederick Jones, Micheal Jones, and Vincent Jones; and several other family members. She leaves to cherish her memory: 4 children, Jacqueline Torrence-Sims (Phil), Elliott Torrence (Lisa), Andre Torrence (Haydee), and Tammi Torrence Summers; 15 grandchildren, Donneva Torrence, Ciara Torrence- Sims, Edward Torrence, Steven Summers, Sydney Summers, Lakeisha Sims-Spears, Stephanie Torrence- Lowe, Elliott James Torrence, Courtney Teague, StarSmith, Jamal Smith, Shantique Smith, Andre Torrence Jr., Pierre Torrence, and Antoine Torrence; 17 great-grandchildren, Essence Lee, Elise Lee, Kendall Griffin, Devin Griffin, Myla Hearon, Analiya Torrence, Elijah Torrence, Zaire Smith, Nova Smith, Cohen Smith, Durand Spears, Malaya Spears, Savannah Spears, Caydee Torrence, Carmen Gray, Paul Gray III, and Gerald Harmon III; Godchildren, Cayden Love and Brooklyn Love; beloved sisters, Frances Love and Kaylynn Blackwell; brothers, Raymond Jones and Wendell Jones; special family and friends, Robert Kwabena Faison, Dolores (Lois) Staton, Ernestine Bankston, the Pokeno ladies & cards group at Sycamore Place, Steve Summers, and Beverly Torrence; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mrs. June Caroline Torrence

February 22, 1943 - March 11, 2025