A Mother’s Strength: The Rebuilding of June Woods after the Senseless Murder of her Son Julian Jones
This article describes the sad yet uplifting story of June Woods, who adopted Julian Jones, a young woman murdered on her doorstep in 2011. June raised Julian, now 15, with love and devotion, only to lose her to a senseless act of gun violence at the hands of former NBA player Javaris Crittenton.
This is how June reacted to the tragedy, fought against the justice system, and found a way to forgive. This is a compelling tale not only of loss but resilience, recovery, and a mother’s unwavering love. Readers will follow June’s life today, her unshakeable familial ties, and her dedication to keeping Julian’s memory alive.
June Woods Raised Her Son, Julian, With Love And A Sturdy Nickname
Jones was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and grew up with her adoptive parents, June Woods and Virgil Pinkney. June and Virgil formally adopted Julian when she was a toddler. From then on, they had become her birth parents in every sense. June, to the one-eyed part — it’s Peepeye,” because he used to sleep with one eye open, always observing.
And that name stuck and became a symbol of their close bond. Julian was raised in a home full of love, laughter, and tradition. June said her daughter was a loving person who enjoyed cooking meals for those she loved. She was the life of the party, who made people feel important.
The Day Everything Changed: Julian’s Death Broke Their World
It all came crashing down for June on Aug. 19, 2011. In a drive-by shooting outside her home on Macon Drive, Julian, then 22, was shot. She is survived by her four children, a fiancé, a brother, and grieving parents. June sped to the scene, driving 80 miles an hour to reach her daughter.
But it was too late. Julian was struck in the femur and did not survive. June still remembers having to explain to her grandchildren that their mother was gone. The pain was both profound and enduring.
Her eldest grandchild couldn’t comprehend it, and the others cried in bewilderment and heartbreak. June’s life was forever altered that day. She wasn’t merely a grieving mom — she became the person who held the family together.
Justice And Disappointment: The Trial Of Javaris Crittenton
When Javaris Crittenton was arrested and charged with the murder of Julian, the family hoped for justice. But in 2015, amid his trial, Crittenton pleaded guilty to reduced charges of voluntary manslaughter and weapon possession. He was eventually found guilty and sentenced to 23 years in prison.
June gave a strong victim impact statement in court, telling the judge, “My daughter was robbed of her life.” She also told the court that Julian’s children could now meet their mother only in stories and pictures.
Compounding the heartbreak, Douglas Gamble, the getaway driver and Crittenton’s cousin, got a reduced sentence: three years in prison and 17 years’ probation. It was a frustrating pill for June and her family to digest.
A Shocking Release And An Anguished Mother’s Response
In April 2023, June received news that rocked her once more—Javaris Crittenton had been released from prison after serving only 10 years. The ruling was made without consulting Julian’s relatives. June was outraged. She would have spoken out, she said, had she known of the deal. She also believed the release was unjust to the memory of Julian and her children.
And in the decision, their voices counted very little, which reintroduced the pain that had been June’s in the first place. It was one more instance in which the justice system let them down. But through it, June’s strength and spirit stayed strong.
June Offers Forgiveness But Remains Determined For Justice
They still choose to forgive, forget, and move forward, but June still forgives Javaris despite all that. Her religious beliefs led her to it. But forgiveness did not equate to forgetting. June still blames him in her heart. She fears that forgetting would dishonor Julian’s memory.
Instead of grieving with hate, she has maintained a focus on healing and staying close to her own heart. Family means even more to her after her sister, April Woods-Howell, died in December 2024.
She lives with Christopher, Julian’s brother, and her grandchildren in Atlanta. Her time is crowded with love, memories, and the wish to keep Julian’s legacy alive with tales, meals, and traditions.
FAQs
Who was Julian Jones?
Julian Jones, a 22-year-old mother of four, was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting in 2011.
Who is June Woods?
June Woods adopts Julian Jones. She raised him from the time he was a toddler, and he is indelible in the family’s life.
Who killed Julian Jones?
(Former NBA player Javaris Crittenton was found guilty in Julian’s death.)
What is the Javaris Crittenton prison sentence?
He received a 23-year sentence but was freed in 2023 after serving 10 years.
Where is June Woods now?
June continues to reside in Atlanta, Georgia, and visits with her family, particularly her grandchildren.
Final Words
The Path of June Woods is a tale of profound pain, quiet strength, and unyielding love. She keeps her family together in the face of injustice and has paid tribute to her daughter’s life with grace and determination.
Her decision to forgive, even while never forgetting, makes her the person she is — defined by love, not by loss. Julian survives in her head and her actions, but June is still motivated.
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