June Prestridge Thomas, 95, of Chattanooga, TN passed away on January 22, 2022, at Erlanger Hospital.  She was born on July 25, 1926, in Birmingham, Alabama, to the late Clarence and Altha Mae (Keebler) Prestridge. She graduated from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga with a Bachelor's degree in Art and Painting and Master's degree in Art History. She was an Art Teacher at the East Ridge Middle School and Special Education teacher in the Hamilton City School District.

In 1970 she won the Gilman Art History Award at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga.

She was a kind and loving person and was considered by her peers at the Art School at UTC as the "steel magnolia" who never quit but always succeeded with patience and tenacity. Her passion was reading, painting, music and travel.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Lacon H. Thomas.  Survivors include loving relatives and good friends.

There will be a brief grave side prayer-eulogy on Friday, January 28, 2022 @ 10 a.m. at Lakewood Memorial Gardens East.

No flowers, please.  Instead, you may make a donation in her name to: Wounded Warriors Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256.

Please share your memories and express your condolences to the family on their guestbook.