Meet Your Neighbor
June Webb-Vignery
Interview by Seth Allen
ME: Where were you born and raised?
JWB: Jasper, MO. The sign said, “804 Friendly People.” My mom was the oldest of ten
children and the first woman to attend college. My dad was a medic in World War I. My
Great-grandfather was in the Civil War.
ME: Where did you go to college?
JWB: Gulfpark College in Mississippi. I majored in piano and drama. I play piano and
tenor saxophone.
ME: How did you end up in Tucson?
JWB: I came to the U of A and was a theater major with a minor in education.
ME: So, you went from Missouri to Mississippi to Tucson to Houston, Texas. How did that
happen?
JWB: I was married to an Architect who was offered a job. So, we moved to Houston in
1966. I worked in the Houston School District teaching middle and high school, and at the
same time I was on the HSD Integration Team. I also spent some time in Semi-
professional theater in Houston.
ME: You’ve had a very varied career. Tell me about that.
JWB: Well, let’s see. Houston School District. I worked in the Tucson City Manager’s
office on the Affirmative Action Commission. Then I went to Pima County working with
the Metro Education Commission for 27 years. I taught Women’s History at the U of A
and Pima College. And, for a time taught US History at New Mexico State.
ME: You have a doctorate?
JWB: I got my PhD in History in 1985. That’s how I met John Robert Vignery. We met in
1979. He did my interview. He had a PhD in French History. I did my dissertation on
Mexican-American History in Tucson. It was published by Columbia University.
ME: When did you first come to St. Francis?
JWB: 1977. I left for a time when the kids went to a different church and I went with them. But, I came back in 2010.
ME: Kids?
JWB: I have two sons, two step-daughters, four grandchildren, and two great-
grandchildren.
ME: Full house!
JWB: And we’re celebrating Thanksgiving in the Desert. It’s kind of like a picnic. We’ve
done it before.
ME: Sounds like fun! So, you came back to St. Francis in 2010. What brought you back?
JWB: Closer to home. Broader reach. Accepting.
ME: You’ve served as chairman of the Church Council for 6 years. How did you come to
take that post?
JWB: John Wilson stepped down. I stepped in.
ME: After six years, is it hard to give it up?
JWB: Nope. Not hard at all. And, I’m leaving it in the capable hands of Paula Van Ness.
ME: What is your hope for the church’s future?
JWB: More community outreach. Increased diversity is important for the future. Both
cultural and racial diversity. And, increased reach to the LGBTQ community.
ME: I would ask you about your favorite hobby or pastime, but it appears to be
volunteering all over town.
JWB: Yes. I’m pretty active in the community. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
ME: If your life was a book, what would the title be?
JWB: Mom Never Told Me That.
ME: Who would you want to play you in the movie version?
JWB: June Allison.