June F. Rivers was born on May 29, 1930. She was dearly loved and will be missed by her daughter, Patti Stewart, and her family, including son-in-law David Stewart, granddaughters Lauren Stewart and Christi Stewart Gilliland (husband, Kyle Gilliland), and her great-grandchildren, Elena Gilliland and Annelyse Gilliland, as well as her son, Jerry Rivers, Jr. and his family, including daughter-in-law Denise Rivers, granddaughters Catherine June Rivers, Renae Rivers Dawkins (husband, Aaron Dawkins) and her great-grandchildren Juliana, Ace, Anthony, and Amelia.
June was born in Smith County, TN, and was one of 6 children. She was a graduate of East High School, Class of 1948. At 19, she married Jerry Rivers, a member of the Original Drifting Cowboys with Hank Williams, Sr. They raised their family in love and laughter, traveling the world and she cared for the children when Jerry was on the road.
Miss June, as she was known at her home church of Madison Church of Christ, was a friend and encourager to all. She never missed an opportunity to make someone’s day brighter and better. Working with special needs adults, the Little Angels, gave her great joy. She cooked for Meals on Wheels and Room at the Inn, dressed up and gave out candy at Trunk or Treat, stayed overnight with women fleeing domestic violence, carried ‘old people’ to doctor’s appointments, and carried out countless other acts of service.
Our memories of her love for Jesus, cheating at cards, weenie roasts at the barn, and sitting in the sun on her patio will remind us of the great times we had and the love we shared.
Visitation will be in Bixler Chapel at Madison Church of Christ (106 Gallatin Pike N Madison, TN 37115) on Tuesday, April 12th from 11:00 am-1:00 pm with the service at 1:00 pm. The family asks for privacy during the burial the following day.
Honorary pallbearers are Jerry Rivers, David Stewart, Kyle Gilliland, Aaron Dawkins, and Mason Hardaway.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Robert C. Fuqua, Dickey Fuqua, Glen Edwin Fuqua, and 2 sisters, Juanita Vaughn, and Helen Bailey, as well as many friends and family, including her husband, Jerry Rivers, with whom we know she is hugging and laughing with now in heaven.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her memory to Madison Church of Christ’s Benevolence Center at 106 Gallatin Pike N Madison, TN 37115.
