June Harkins

June Calton Harkins, a beloved wife, mother, faithful servant and cherished friend, went home to be with her Lord and Savior peacefully on April 21, 2026, at the age of 85. She was patient, kind, giving, and a living example of God’s unconditional love.
June was born March 3, 1941, in Fayette AL to Luther Javan and Elizabeth Calton. June graduated from Fayette County High School with the Class of 1959. She remained close with her classmates throughout her life. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in education and began teaching third grade at the old Fayette Elementary School. She would later return to obtain her master’s degree, while raising two children, and caring for her family. June went on to teach, primarily fifth grade, for 36 years, impacting the lives of many children along the way. She married her high school sweetheart, Hugh Smith Harkins on September 21, 1963, on his twenty-fifth birthday. Together they built a home full of love and laughter. Her greatest joy was her family, and she was a caregiver to all.
June was a member of Fayette First Baptist Church, where she joyfully served teaching Sunday school and leading the senior adult ministry with Shirley Williams. Along with serving at church, she enjoyed volunteering at the Fayette Medical Center gift shop. She loved painting, planting flowers, visiting family and friends, and just traveling anywhere. She loved learning history and any trip included stopping at every roadside historical marker for a quick read. She was the family historian and would often visit cemeteries to find out more about family genealogy. June lived her life according to Isaiah 40:31. “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” (NASB)
June is survived by her daughter Beth Harkins, son David Harkins (Tennille), grandsons Dylan Harkins (Victoria), Will Harkins and Christian Harkins, and great grandchildren Ansleigh and Grady Hugh. She is also survived by brothers-in-law Jerry Sisson and Scott Braswell (Martha), her nephew Joel Braswell (Theresa), her nieces Gail Tanner (Shane), Denise Shelton (Steve), Renee Stough (Marc) and a host of cousins and close friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband Hugh Smith Harkins, her parents, LJ and Elizabeth Calton, her sister Kay Braswell, and her sister-in-law Ann Sisson.
Special thanks to her caregivers Geri McCool, Cindy Farley, Melissa Moore and Doris Daw who helped June continue to remain as independent as possible. The family would also like to thank Dr Christian and her staff, Fayette Medical LTC staff and Access Hospice for the great care they provided our loved one. 
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 4 PM at Nelson Funeral Home. The family will receive friends Saturday from 2-4 PM at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Mt Vernon Cemetery.
Donations can be made to Fayette First Baptist Church-Together We Build Program in memory of June Harkins.
 

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