June Gaskins-Davis
October 13, 1933 - January 22, 2017

June Gaskins-Davis, 83, of Winchester, VA., passed away Sunday January 22, 2017 in Winchester Medical Center. Mrs. Davis was born on October 13, 1933, the daughter of the late Kirk N. Gaskins, Sr. and Ella Virginia Finley Gaskins. She was a dedicated member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Winchester, VA.

She leaves to cherish her memory a son, Byron Bandy of Winchester, VA, a sister, Joyce "Joy" Gaskins Jordan of Teaneck, NJ, a brother, Dr. Andrew T. Gaskins of Maryland, and a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Davis was preceded in death by two brothers, Kirk N. Gaskins, Jr. and Beverley P. Gaskins.

June was best known as a local and family historian. She could be seen taking photos at all events in the community to capture the moment for historical purposes. June loved to tell the Gaskins and Finley family history and was always called on for her extensive knowledge. She was a contributor to the June Gaskins Davis Collection at the Stewart Bell, Jr. Archives in the Handley Regional Library.
A proud 1951 graduate of the all black Douglas School, June co-authored with Judy Humbert a book entitled "History of Douglas School Winchester, Virginia: A Tribute to Endurance, Belief, Perseverance, and Success" in 2014 that is sold on Amazon. The book is credited with documenting the accomplishments of the African American community in Winchester and the Northern Shenandoah Valley and will serve as a sense of pride and as an educational tool for future generations.


Her father became a teacher at Douglas School in 1936, and was its principal from 1940 to 1966. He closed Douglas High School in 1966 when desegregation was ordered of the public school systems.
Before relocating to Winchester, June worked in the federal government and private industry before working for Wall Street for a decade. She retired from Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith in 1989 as Assistant Vice President, Financial Consultant.
She earned a Master of Business Administration from Trinity College, a Bachelor of Science from the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, and a Certificate of Accomplishment from USDA Graduate School.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday January28th 2017 at 11:00 am at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Winchester, VA with Dr. Pastor Gilbert M. Mack, Jr.

The viewing will be one hour before service at the church.

Burial will be in Orrick Cemetery in Winchester, VA

Donations can be sent to the Burial Fund of June Gaskins-Davis in care of Cartwright Funeral Home 232 East Fairfax Lane Winchester, VA

Ministry of Comfort Entrusted to
Cartwright Funeral Home
Winchester, VA