June Forwood Shanks

November 27, 1937 - May 4, 2025

With a heart as big as Texas and the vibrance of a field of bluebonnets, June Forwood Shanks found peace in Heaven on Sunday, May 4, 2025 — a beautiful sunny day at her beloved ranch home in Llano County.

East Texas born and bred, June was raised by her “guardian angel” grandmother after the tragic early deaths of both parents. June and her brother, Amor, spent their summers with Gramma and Grandpa Echols in Jefferson, Texas. Their late mother had been adamant about them being able to attend school in Austin, so her grandmother raised them in central Austin during the school year. June was a graduate of Austin High School and continued to love the arts and culture of the city even after she moved to the beautiful Texas Hill Country.

June was enthusiastic about the country lifestyle and thrived when sharing her ranch with others. Regarded not only as a gracious host but also as a social butterfly, she traveled the country roads and highways to see family and friends and to volunteer her time with various organizations. She found joy in bringing “football punch” to the Llano football team during summer practice when Ricci was on the team. June also loved working with the elementary school special education classes, volunteering with the Llano library and arts programs, and bringing food to share with her local church.

Her eclectic, colorful sense of style was attained through worldly travel and her appreciation of art. June became an accomplished oil painter, often using her two most beloved subjects, her people and her land, as inspiration. She adored all children, most animals, and an assortment of rich foods, especially Blue Bell vanilla ice cream and peppermint milkshakes. And didn’t care a bit for rude people or cilantro.

June was a lifelong learner and avid reader. She started and ended many days in her cozy, creamy white leather recliner, reading and praying. She loved the Lord and felt Jesus’ presence in even the most mundane of moments. She believed God has “never stopped talking to us,” but we must continually “pay attention”. She helped serve her Lord and church as a vestry member and altar guild member in the Episcopal Church.

She saw beauty in everything and was always drawing your mind and eyes to the everyday miracles around us. She believed grace was not a prayer at the beginning of a meal, but a way of life. June laughed easily and forgave quickly. She was gifted at living in the present moment and feeling gratitude for her blessings and those around her.

A self-proclaimed “sunny south girl”, June surrounded her home with stunning gardens full of exquisite flowers, which she would then make into bouquets that sweetened her already joyful home. She consistently stated she never got enough rain.

She lived and died at her piece of “Heaven on Earth”, always appreciating the beauty of the abundant local wildlife, her “outdoor living room” surrounded by oak trees, seasonal wildflowers, and an expensive scotch in a pool-friendly red Solo cup.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Louis Shanks, and is survived by her son, Ricci Shanks and wife Torre. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Tessa Cooper and husband Colin, Landon Shanks and wife Erika, Samantha Ruiz and husband Javier. Also by 5 precious adventurous great-grandchildren: Braydon, June, David, Vale, and Oren. All three of her adult grandchildren, their spouses, many of their childhood friends, and all the great-grandchildren called her “Grammy June” or “Gigi”.

There will be a Celebration of Life service at Walnut Methodist Church outside Round Mountain, about an hour west of Austin, this Saturday, May 10th, at 10:00 in the morning. Bright colors, Texas boots, or hats are the requested attire. Apple and pecan pie with Blue Bell vanilla ice cream will be served by Inman’s Kitchen after the service in the church pavilion overlooking Walnut Creek.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation in remembrance of June Shanks to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, www.wildflower.org, or to Walnut Methodist Church, PO Box 123, Round Mountain, TX 78663.