June Sawyers Evans Caldwell

GLEASON, Tenn. — June Sawyers Evans Caldwell, a woman whose life journey took her from the basketball courts of Gleason to the halls of the Pentagon, died on February 3, 2026, at the age of 88. Surrounded by the family and friends she cherished, June left behind a legacy of strength, service, and a touch of small-town spirit.

Friends and family are invited to honor June’s remarkable journey at Williams Funeral Home in Gleason on Sunday, February 8, at 2 pm. She will be laid to rest at Hopewell Cemetery.

Born on June 23, 1937, to Dudley and Maggie Sawyers, June grew up in Gleason, where she was known for her competitive fire as a Lady Bulldog basketball player. That same drive led her from rural Tennessee to Washington D.C. shortly after graduation, where she served in an administrative capacity at the Pentagon—a testament to her capability and adventurous heart.

June eventually returned to her roots, where her life was defined by her devotion to her family and her sharp wit. She was the matriarch of a close-knit circle, survived by her daughter, Susan (Dean) Hamilton; her granddaughter, Alana (Alex) Whitney; and her adored great-grandchildren, Delaney and Michael Whitney, who brought her immense joy in her later years. She also leaves behind her brother, Jerry (Pat) Sawyers, her cousin, Carol McDaniel, several nieces and nephews, and her constant feline companion, “Teddy Bear.”

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Curtis Evans and George Caldwell; and her siblings, Shelby Klutts and George Sawyers.

Williams Funeral Home of Gleason