Lillie June Church

Lillie "June" Church, age 94, a long-time resident of Fountain City and member of Knoxville Primitive Baptist Church, passed away peacefully at Oakwood Senior Living Facility of Knoxville on Monday, December 9, 2024. June was born to Jerry and Arminta Yates near Clintwood, Virginia on June 22, 1930. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jerry and Arminta Yates; brother, Alva, Allen, Odell, Dallas and JC Yates; sister, Draxi Yates; her beloved husband of 73 years, Arlie "Bud" Church; and by her beloved elder son, James "Jim" Church. When Bud returned from serving his country in WWII, they began a long and loving marriage. June was a loving wife and mother. She was never happier than when all her children and grandchildren came to visit. She always prepared big Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for her family, and her home was always filled with love and laughter. She will be greatly missed by everyone that knew her. Survived by her children, Vivian Church Smith (Cape Canaveral, FL), David Church (Powell, TN) and Jeffrey Church (Knoxville, TN). She also leaves one son-in-law, Richard Smith and two daughter-in-laws, Vicki Courtney Church and Jill Allvin Church. 

She was a proud grandmother of seven grandchildren, Amy Williams, Adam Smith, Jason Church, Justin Church, Kaela Allvin, Chris Allvin, and Krystal Middleton and the great grandmother of fourteen. She also leaves a host of loving nieces, nephews and friends. 

Family and friends will meet at 12:45pm at Greenwood Cemetery on Saturday, December 14, 2024 for a 1:00pm graveside service. In lieu of flowers the family asks donations be made to Pat Summit Foundation https://patsummitt.org/mission/. Online condolences may be expressed at mynattfh.com.