Obituary of June Ames Slusser

June Slusser, 97, passed away on January 16, 2021 due to complications related to COVID. Born June 2, 1923 in Marshalltown, Iowa, she grew up in the Midwest. Being a child of the Great Depression, June remembers hard times during the “Dust Bowl”. Her grandmother, Clara Clemens, came to live with them and warmed their lives with the stories she shared.  

Charles Ames, June’s father, encouraged his daughters to go to college. June attended the University of Iowa and earned a B.A. in Education with a minor in Spanish. After college, June helped with the World War 2 effort by working on a top secret project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. It was there that she met her future husband, Robert Slusser, who was also working at the facility. The top secret project, the atomic bomb, ended World War 2. 

June and Bob were married on June 14, 1947 and enjoyed 62 years of marriage until Robert’s passing in 2008. They made their home in Charleston, West Virginia for 25 years. As a stay home Mom, June raised 3 daughters: Carol, Nancy, and Mary. Retirement from the Union Carbide in 1977 took Bob and June to Beaufort, South Carolina for 25 years. 

Retirement activities kept their lives busy. They faithfully attended St. Helena’s Episcopal Church and were active volunteers. June enjoyed Lady’s Island Country Club activities such as golf, bridge, and social events. Bob and June boated around the scenic Low Country waterways. They enjoyed fishing and crabbing. As a gourmet cook, June prepared delicious fresh seafood meals. Their favorite beach spots were Hunting Island and Fripp Island. 

Lifestyle changes in 2005 brought June and Bob to Columbia, S.C. to be near family. She was a sweet, loving, and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, and loyal friend. Left to cherish her memories are two daughters, Nancy Slusser Madden and Mary Slusser Ruddle (Roy); her sister, Mary Ames Hykes; granddaughter Kristen Bennett Miller (Kevin); grandsons, Griff Madden (Sarah), Matthew Bennett (Erica), Tyler Madden; and six beloved great grandchildren; Kaiden, Knox, Robert, Ames, Mackall, and Sadie. She is also survived by her nieces; Carolyn Devick, Lucy Hesse (Konrad); son-in-laws, Boodie Madden and Paul Bennett. June was predeceased by her husband, Robert Slusser and daughter, Carol Slusser Pritt.  

The family would like to thank Wellmore of Lexington Memory Care staff for the compassionate and wonderful care that they gave June. The family would also like to thank Agape Hospice Care for all their help and support. 

Memorial services for June Slusser will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, March 26, 2021 at the Gazebo of Woodridge Memorial Park, 138 Corley Mill Road, Lexington, SC 29072. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: St. David’s Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 1196, Cheraw, S.C. 29520 or Agape Care Hospice, 110 Dillon Drive, Spartanburg, S.C. 29307, or a charity of one’s choice. 

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