Betty "June" Montgomery

Betty “June” Montgomery, lovingly known as “Mama,” “Gemaw,” “Mama June,” “Miss June,” and “Sis. June,” passed away on March 7, 2026, surrounded by her children. Born on Mother’s Day in 1937 in Tarrytown, Florida, to Shelbie Lee and Latrelle Marie (Rogers) Thomas, she grew up alongside her older sister, Barbara Jo “Bobbie Jo.” From an early age, June embraced a life of faith and music, learning to love God and play piano and organ from her mother. By age 13, she was already ministering through music and song at the Linden Church of God.

June devoted 75 years to serving the Lord as a clerk and pianist in churches across Florida and Georgia. Her longest tenures were 20 years at the Eustis Church of God and 25 years at her final church home, the Grand Ridge Church of God. Even at age 88, while recovering from a fall, she continued her musical ministry, blessing residents at Southwell Rehabilitation in Adel, Georgia, where her playing led an entire room in worship that echoed through the halls. She was also a talented singer and member of the all-female gospel quartet “The Melodettes,” who performed throughout Florida and southern Georgia in the early 1950s alongside many well-known groups.

Beyond her church service, June worked for 42 years at Tatum’s Hardware & Supply, where she became part of the Tatum family and formed countless friendships throughout Calhoun and Jackson counties. Known for her humor, humility, talent, devotion, selflessness, and kindness, she found joy in singing, worshiping at home on her piano, tending to flowers and plants, watching songbirds, baking for family, friends, and church fundraisers, and most of all, spending time with loved ones.

June is reunited with her parents, Shelbie and Latrelle; her daughter, Shelley Marie; her grandson, Kevin Montgomery, Jr.; her sister Bobbie Jo and family; aunts Greta and Tommy; and many dear friends. She is survived by her children, Sharon Robinson, Keith (Debbie) Montgomery, and Kevin Montgomery, Sr.; many nieces and nephews; her grandchildren, Audra (TJ) Montgomery, Lydia Montgomery and Oscar Sandoval, Brandon (Courtney) Robinson, Katie Jo (Keven) Spencer, Amanda (Matthew) Bush, Theodore (Allie) Montgomery, Joshua Montgomery, Jeffrey Jackson, Brian (Amy) Vining, Gage (Jennifer) Lowe, and Stephanie (Joey) Motz; and 11 great-grandchildren.