The earthly life of our beloved mother came peacefully to an end on September 30, 2023. June Nichols Jones departed this life for her heavenly home with her Lord and Savior, a goal she has yearned for since she became a Christian many years ago. June was baptized into Christ at a young age, and lived the quiet, exemplary life of a Godly woman until her death.
June was born on May 27, 1934, the daughter of Mary Elizabeth Nichols Willingham and Turner Hudson Nichols. Her father tragically drowned when June was an infant, and she always felt the loss of having never known him. June grew up in Sheffield, Alabama, and attended schools there. As a young woman, she worked at a bakery in downtown Sheffield where a handsome young man named Leldon Jones, who worked nearby, would often come in to purchase sweets. Eventually, their friendship grew, and they began a courtship. They married on Christmas Day, 1953, and enjoyed a long life together until Leldon’s passing in August of 2020. June was also preceded in death by her parents and two half-brothers, Roy Willingham and Bobby Armstrong. During June’s years of work providing a home for her husband and two daughters, she also often “babysat” for the children of family, friends and neighbors and provided loving care for them through the years. She was known as “Mama June” to many children who adored her.
Those remaining to cherish her memory are her daughters, Lynn Jones Melson (Tim), and Kaye Jones Holderfield (Boyce). She also had five grandchildren who were around her often and were dearly loved: Tyler Melson (Grace Ann), Ellie Lester (Clint), Emma Grace Melson, Robert Boyce (Trip) Holderfield, III, and Turner Hudson Holderfield (Megan). Additionally, June was blessed with five great grandchildren: Lola Janis Melson, Maudie Melson, William Melson, and George Melson. June also had nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends who valued her greatly.
There will be a graveside service at Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens on Tuesday, October 3 rd at 1:00 pm by Elkins Funeral Home, Florence. Officiating will be Kenny Moorer, minister at College View Church of Christ, where June was a member from the very beginning of this congregation. Pallbearers will be grandsons and great- grandson.
June’s family expresses their appreciation for her College View church family, her neighbors, and so many friends and family who lovingly cared for and prayed for their precious mother.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith…” II Timothy 4:7.
