June Jacqueline Popplewell Gaskins, of Russell Springs, passed away on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at Russell County Hospital.
June was born in Anderson, Indiana, June 20, 1924, daughter of the late Orion Avalee and Josephine Anderson Popplewell. On June 21, 1941, at the age of 17, she married Morris M. Gaskins, the beginning of a fifty-three-year union of marriage and work for the Lord. June was a dutiful and devoted pastor’s wife. During Bro. Morris’ pastoring career, she was active in music, with the children’s choir, Bible Schools and revivals in their tenures at Science Hill First Baptist Church, Clear Fork Baptist Church, in Albany, and Union Baptist Church, of Russell Springs. She was a member of Russell Springs First Baptist Church.
June was an accomplished piano player; she played for the Starlighters Quartet that was featured daily on CBS radio. She shared her talent by teaching piano privately to many students over the years. June was a public school teacher for some time, and had worked for the telephone company, as well.
She is survived by her daughter, Yvonne (and Donnie) Emerson, of Russell Springs; her grandsons, Matt (and Karen) Emerson, of Jamestown, Daniel (and Jessica) Emerson, of Henderson, and Jeremy (and Kattie) Emerson, of Lawrenceburg; and her great-grandchildren, Abigail Emerson, Rebekah Emerson and Xander Emerson.
Along with her parents, June is preceded in death by her husband, Bro. Morris Gaskins, who passed away May 6, 1994; her brothers, O.A. Popplewell, Jr. and William S. “Bill” Popplewell; and her sister, Retta Grider.
Funeral services are 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at Russell Springs Christian Church, with Bro. Donnie Emerson officiating. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, November 21, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Russell Springs Christian Church, and after 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, until time for services.
Pallbearers are Matt Emerson, Daniel Emerson, Jeremy Emerson, Chris Stapp, Elliott Bryant, Frank Gaskins, Derek Polston, and Tommy Hill.
Honorary pallbearers are Roy Thomas and Gene Brown.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children at donate.lovetotherescue.org or to 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.
Arrangements for June Jacqueline Popplewell Gaskins are entrusted to Bernard Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.bernardfuneralhome.com.
