Funeral service for Mary June Hopkins Towry, age 89, of Fayetteville, TN, will be held at 1 PM on Friday, November 15, 2024, at Higgins Funeral Home with Bro. Billy Langford officiating. Burial will follow in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 5 PM until 8 PM on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Higgins Funeral Home.
Mary June was born on January 24,1935, in the Frogville Community (Kirkland), to the late Newby and Mary Maddox Hopkins. She was raised in Lincoln County in the Bellview Community. June was a devoted wife, married for 71 years, to Jack Towry. Together, they built a loving family and shared a lifetime of memories.
At the age of 18, she married the love of her life and moved to Kingsville, TX where they spent two years at the Naval Base before returning to the family farm. Later, they moved to Birmingham, AL, and eventually settled in Miami/Hialeah, FL, where she graduated from Miami-Dade with her teaching degree. There she built a meaningful career for 30 years as a teacher and elementary school supervisor at Dade Christian School in Hialeah.
June was a devoted member of the Kirkland Baptist Church, where her journey began as a baby when her parents help found the church. She carried on their legacy by teaching Sunday School and serving as the church clerk for many years. Her commitment to community was unwavering. She served 20 years on the Lincoln County School Board and was a dedicated member of the Historical Society, where she served as president and published The Volunteer, a historical magazine. June was also a member of the Genealogy Society, Bellview and Pea Ridge FCE, and a faithful volunteer at Lincoln Medical Center. June was deeply involved in Leadership Lincoln and the UDC, sharing her passion for local history and heritage. Together with her husband, Jack, they were honored as Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln County in 2007 in recognition of their contributions.
She had a love for life’s simple joys, gardening, quilting, cooking, reading, and traveling. Her home was filled with shelves of books, especially those that celebrated history, the beauty of the region, and her devotion to Christ. But more than anything, Mama June treasured time with her family. Her warmth and wit filled every room, bringing laughter and joy as they shared countless memories together.
Survivors include her husband, Jack Towry; children, Betsy (Jeff) May, David (Brenda) Towry, Debbie (Garth) Yorba, and Joel Towry; her legacy continues through her grandchildren, David (Brandie) Holley, Melissa (Jo) Hammond, Jesse (Katie) May, Phillip Towry, Josh (Courtney) Towry, Sean (Rachel) May, Kelly (Cassie) Yorba, Mary (Jesse) Meadows, Jared (Tasha) Towry, and Walker (Teresa) May; and 21 great-grandchildren. Additional survivors include her sister, Jane McNeal; brother, Joe Hopkins; and aunt, Ruth Ann Maddox. In addition to her parents, June was preceded in death by her brothers, Jerry Hopkins and Phillip Hopkins.
Though she’s no longer with us, the love, laughter, and kindness she shared will live on in all who knew her. Mama June will be missed dearly, but her spirit and legacy will never fade.
Memorials may be made to Kirkland Baptist Church, 655 Ardmore Hwy, Taft, TN 38488.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Mary June Hopkins Towry.
