June Hassell

(July 20, 1931-May 2, 2026)

How many people have attended more than 700 sporting events of their children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren, while also having read more than 2,500 books? Such was the full and enviable life of June Hassell, also known as "Mom," "Mother," "Grandma," "G," "Gigi," "Maw Maw," and even "Elton June."

June Gaddy Hassell was born on July 20, 1931, in Montgomery. A graduate of Sidney Lanier High School (Class of 1949), and Huntingdon College, June received an M. Ed. from AUM. With a strong desire to help people, June became one of Alabama's first Licensed Professional Counselors. Her willingness to use her gift of counseling started her career in the mental health field for Dr. Almon Ward. She continued her work at Meadhaven Psychiatric Hospital, St. Margaret's Hospital and East Montgomery Medical Center (now known as Baptist East Medical Center), where she retired as Program Director for the Psychiatric Care Unit in 1995. From there, June worked in private practice with Dr. Richard Rubin until her second retirement, circa 2000.

Though a help to hundreds--if not thousands--as a counselor, her first love was always family. Deeply in love, she married Herman V. Hassell, Jr. out of high school. Shortly after, she became a mother to Mike and then Tracey. From towing a horse-trailer with her car accompanying Tracey at horse shows, to attending all kinds of Mike's sporting events (and constantly hosting kids at their home on Myrtlewood Dr.), June was "always there."

This devotion to support those she loved was similarly displayed in being a reliable presence at her grandchildren's--and even great-grandchildren's--sporting events all over Alabama and at many school functions. She could keep a baseball scoring book, watch a grandchild's baseball game and listen to a Brave's game on her transistor radio simultaneously. Her spunkiness often led to her "encouragement" from the stands. Later in life, she attended dog shows with Tracey, and the two of them enjoyed a consistent date at the Curb Market (Alabama tomatoes and peaches were her favorite) on Saturdays during the Summer. At all hours of the day or night (and in any season), her neighbors might catch her working in her yard or tending Flowers.

June was also a voracious reader (Prince of Tides was her favorite), with an insatiable appetite for all books and for learning new things. She often checked out the maximum number of books from one of Montgomery's public libraries, read them and returned the next week to do it again. Her breadth of knowledge about people, places, politics and history was amazing. Her shelves at home were filled with hundreds of books, and she had at least one Bible in every room. She also started a book club in 2006 with friends Don Drenth and Jackie Armstrong, which she faithfully attended until her health declined. Members are still startled with some of the books she promoted to their club.

June was also a movie bluff. The invention of VHS, DVDS, HBO and movies on demand delighted her, because she could watch The Godfather (her favorite), Cabaret, Bull Durham, and Casablanca on a whim. There's no telling how many times she watched her many preferred movies. You name a classic movie, and she could tell you the cast and how many Academy Awards it won.

June also loved music (Ol' Blue Eyes was her favorite singer). She loved to dance, even cutting the rug in her 90's at a grandchild's wedding reception. As Matriarch of a large family, she was greatly loved. Even her "grand dogs" would howl with enthusiasm when she walked through the door.

June was the picture of independence, living by herself until the end. Various family and friends described her as "feisty," "opinionated," "devoted," "bullheaded," and "very intelligent, with a side of love, compassion and kindness, topped with a sense of humor." In short, hers was a life well-lived. She died peacefully at her home on May 2, with family at her side, just the way she would want.

June is survived by her son Mike Hassell (Cynde), her daughter Tracey Rives (Jim), her grandchildren Lee Hassell (Laura), Tommy Hassell (Caroline), Wade Watson, Walker Watson, Clark Hassell, Hunter Rives (Abby); a sister Claudette Beauchamp; and many nieces and nephews. Her circle of friends, neighbors, former clients/patients and acquaintances in Montgomery is a wide one.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 5, in the Rose Parlor at Leak Memory (909 Lincoln Rd.) from 1:00-2:00, immediately followed by a graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery, officiated by Dr. Karl Steagall. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial gifts be made to the Montgomery Humane Society, 1150 John Overton Dr., Montgomery, AL, 36110.