June was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Tommie Walls Blankenship and Helen Constance Cofield. She grew up in Atlanta and attended Hapeville High School and later graduated with her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Emory University. June continued her nursing studies in New York City and at the University of Colorado in Denver where she met her husband Jim Pugh who was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base. She received her master’s degree in psychiatric nursing. June and Jim moved to Nashville in 1969 where she worked at the Nashville VA Medical Center and where she found her passion in nursing by helping veterans battling alcoholism and as a nurse recruiter.

June was a member of the Lynchburg First Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, the FCE club, and the Lynchburg “Page Turners” book club. She was a published author of two books and numerous articles and was a regular contributor to the Moore County News. She enjoyed leading Bible study and teaching Sunday school.

She is survived by her children, Jennifer Pugh-Nolan (Drew) and Janet Pugh, her brother, Earl Blankenship (Beth), her grandchildren, Joshuah Powell (Allison) and Emily Powell, niece Karen Lehman (Rusty), great nephew Matthew Moles, great niece Karlee Lehman, several grand dogs, and her beloved great granddaughter and namesake Augustine June Powell. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband, James L. Pugh.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, May 8 at Lynchburg First Methodist Church.  Funeral Services will follow at noon.  Interment will be at Smith Chapel Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make a monetary donation to the Smith Chapel Cemetery fund (931) 759-7721, Goosepond Methodist Church (931) 434-0758, or the Disabled American Veterans.

Jennings-Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 181 Majors Blvd, Lynchburg, TN 37352, (931)-759-4552, www.jenningsmoorecortner.com.

Jennings-Moore-Cortner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Tullahoma News – May 8, 2024