Obituary of June Love Heydel

Born Jan. 12, 1929 Greeted by her Lord, Jesus Christ, and her Heavenly Father to her eternal home, June 3, 2015. "Mom" to her two sons, and "Ma" to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Preceded in death by her father, Robert Love; mother - Edith Love Morrison, and sister, Bobbie Jean Love McMillan. Survived by her high school sweetheart and loving husband of 67 years, Bill Heydel; sons: Steve (Vikki) of Lebanon, TN.; Rick (Sally) of Brentwood, TN.; grandchildren: Lora Heydel of Carthage, Wendy (Shane) of Little Rock, AR., Angie Walker (Scott) of Murfreesboro, Chrissa Gatton (Jim) of Murfreesboro, TN., Will Heydel (Abbie) of Knoxville, TN., and Wes Heydel of Brentwood, TN.. Great-grandchildren: Truman Tuck of San Diego, CA., Hunter Tuck and Heather Woodward of Lebanon, TN., Mason, Connor, and Ethan Lynn of Little Rock, AR., Reed and Olivia Walker of Murfreesboro, TN., Jacob and Caleb Gatton of Murfreesboro, TN., and Ayden, Sarah Mae, and Henley Heydel of Knoxville, TN.. Also survived by many relatives and countless friends who were recipients of her loving and caring spirit. June spent her early years in Bluefield, WV, the daughter of a WWI veteran. After the death of her father, her mother moved the family to Tennessee, where she ultimately attended Rockwood High School and met her lifelong love, Bill Heydel. A model supportive wife and loving mother, June and Bill went on a life and career journey that culminated in the family moving to Lebanon, TN. in 1964 where Bill was tasked with pioneering AFLAC in Tn. and building their sales organization. June was not only the family homemaker and mom, but was also the first agent Bill licensed in Tn. and she worked part-time as an AFLAC agent, helping Bill get his sales organization started. As the sales force grew, June shifted her role to being a role model for the spouses of the AFLAC agents, and was a steadying force of wisdom and encouragement to agents and their spouses as they worked to build their careers. June and Bill never took their success for granted and never forgot their humble roots. June became a servant / leader in the Lebanon and Middle Tennessee community, and contributed her time, talents and resources to many worthy causes. She was a member and leader at First United Methodist Church in Lebanon for over 50 years, and a long-time member of the Lebanon Village Women's Club. June had a special heart for the arts and was an avid patron of the arts at Cumberland University and in the arts community of Nashville. She was the driving force for the building of the June & Bill Heydel Fine Arts Center at Cumberland University. Despite never attending college, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate at Cumberland University in 2010 for her tireless efforts in supporting the university. Despite her public demonstrations of love for friends, June will best be remembered by her family that were the most important people in her life. She was always there in body or spirit. No birthday, holiday, recital, play, athletic event, graduation, illness, or family gathering - despite the distance - took place without Mom/Ma doing all she could to be present, and when she couldn't, there was always a phone call and card or letter letting you know you were important to her and she loved you. It just wasn't Christmas, Thanksgiving, 4th of July or Easter without a gathering at June & Bill's house. June was the glue that held the family together, through good times and bad, with unconditional love and hospitality. And you could always expect some guests in attendance - nonfamily members that June just felt needed a place to enjoy Christian fellowship for the holiday. June became a born again believer in Christ in the late 70's, and her faith was always evident in her life, but especially during her last illness, where she exhibited a spirit of joy and faith, not wanting to leave her family, but knowing her Lord and Savior was awaiting her to reward her for a life that reflected His love to others. Proverbs 31:10-11; "Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely dwell with her, so that he shall have no need of spoil." A visitation will be held at Sellars Funeral Home, 313 W. Baddour Pkwy., Lebanon, TN from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on June 5, 2015. The family will be greeting friends at that time. A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church, 415 West Main St., Lebanon, TN at 11:00 AM on June 6, 2015. Burial will follow at Wilson County Memorial Park, 618 S. Maple St., Lebanon, TN. 37087. Pallbearers: Kenneth Heydel, Shane Lynn, Scott Walker, Jim Gatton, Truman Tuck, Hunter Tuck, Reed Walker, Mason Lynn Honorary Pallbearers: Cumberland University Board of Trust, Questers Sunday School Class-First United Methodist Church, Lebanon Village Women's Club In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Cumberland University Fine Arts, Cumberland University, Lebanon, TN. Online tributes may be made at http://www.sellarsfuneralservices.com/.