June Cavanah Hatley's Obituary
June Cavanah Hatley left this earth and went home into the arms of Jesus on October 2, 2024. Born June 7, 1928, the second of six children, to Reverend George and Lavine Cavanah in Eddyville, Kentucky.
She attended high school in Kentucky and then graduated from Bethel Women’s College in 1948 followed by graduation from Georgetown College in 1950. While attending Georgetown, she met her husband, James, and they wed on June 2, 1950. June and Jim were both in ministry studies after marriage. June pursued a Master’s degree at the Carver School of Missions and Social Work from 1952-1954 which later became part of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
June and Jim served on the mission field in San Andres Island, Columbia before serving at several churches in Texas, California and Tennessee with the longest tenure at Second Baptist Church, Memphis. June considered the role of a minister’s wife an honor and a privilege and she loved people well. She served as the volunteer Preschool Director for Second Baptist Church and originated a Mother’s Day Out program there. June wrote curriculum and articles for several denominational publications and taught seminars on the development of preschoolers. She was called “Junie” by children at Second Baptist and later, it was picked up by her younger grandchildren.
Jim and June raised four children: Antonio “Tony” Brooks Hatley, James Michael Hatley, Cavan Monroe Hatley, and Kelly June Hatley McBrayer. She is preceded in death by her husband James, her sons Antonio “Tony” and Cavan, her sisters Sarah Clayton and Shirley Pace. She is survived by Mary Hatley (Tony-deceased), Michael Hatley (Susie) and Kelly McBrayer (Mike). In addition, she is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She is also survived by sister Rebecca Clark, brothers Gerry Cavanah and George Cavanah and numerous nieces and nephews.
Her husband of 45 years, James W. Hatley, died in 1995. June has lived in the Richardson, Texas area since 1996 where she was an active member of First Baptist Church, Richardson and her community for as long as she was able. She will be remembered for many things including her gift of hospitality as she frequently welcomed guests into her home, many times with a moment’s notice.
There will be a burial service on Tuesday, October 29th at 3:00pm at Memorial Park Cemetery and afterwards, we will gather at Second Baptist Church for food and visitation. If you can join us, please feel free to wear bright colors (or black) as we celebrate because she lived a beautiful long life and is in heaven today.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to these organizations or any others that you prefer.
James Hatley Mission Fund
c/o Second Baptist Church
4680 Walnut Grove Road
Memphis, TN 38117
Hawaii Baptist Academy
www.HBA.net
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