June Campbell Brewster, 92, of Russell Springs, KY passed from this life on Sunday morning, October 4, 2026 at the Russell County Hospital. She was born in the Cain’s Store community of Pulaski County, KY on October 15, 1933, the daughter of the late Herschel and Stella Irvine Campbell.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her daughter, Lisa Mitchell; two brothers: Glen Campbell and Emil Campbell; her sister, Lois Terry; and two sisters-in-law: Joyce and Carolyn Campbell.
She was a member of the Russell Springs Christian Church. June grew up on a farm at the foot of the Green River Knob. She attended Nancy High School, Lindsey Wilson College, Campbellsville College, and Western Kentucky University. June earned a Master’s degree in Elementary Education and enjoyed a 30-year career as a teacher and migrant liaison for Russell County Schools.
She had a remarkably generous heart and found great joy in helping the underprivileged with food, clothing, and school supplies. She showered her great grandchildren and the children in her neighborhood with handmade crafts, handmade cards, and thoughtful small gifts for every holiday.
June loved God’s creations. She believed that every living creature deserved kindness. Her home and heart were always open to animal rescue causes, and she provided a safe haven for countless pets over her lifetime. She was an avid gardener and for many years tended an enormous vegetable garden which she delighted in sharing with her family and neighbors. Anyone who knew her could attest that she was fiercely proud of being left-handed—a trait she wore as a badge of her unique, independent spirit in a right-handed world. She loved to share Judges 20:16 with all the left-handers that she met.
June was passionate follower of politics, she never shied away from a lively debate and actively engaged in civic life. She served the Russell County Education Association as a KEA officer and representative, and served as Republican chairwoman for Russell County. June also had a competitive spirit. During basketball season, you would always find her cheering loudly in front of her television for every game of the UK Wildcats.
Music was the soundtrack of her life. Whether she was playing her guitar, writing songs, singing, or listening to her favorite entertainers, it was a source of endless joy and comfort. June sang for several years on local live radio broadcasts with the New Hope Trio on WSFC in Somerset, with the Finis Beasley family on WAIN in Columbia, and later she hosted the Sunday night bluegrass gospel show on WJRS. She was also a member of the Gordon Sisters Trio and performed at country music venues such as the Midwestern Hayride and Renfro Valley. June made her own record in the late 1960’s with the title song “Just Another Girl”.
SURVIVORS:
1 daughter: Marisa (& the late Jerald) Popplewell of Russell Springs
3 grandchildren: Brad (Melissa) Wilkerson of Russell Springs, Scott (Mindy) Wilkerson of Columbia, and Travis Brewster of Louisville
7 great-grandchildren: Erica, Allie, Brailee, Ava, Brayden, Aiyden, and Lilli
A host of nieces & nephews
4 wonderful caretakers: Diane Hainey, Ronda Honaker, Janice Helm, and Randi Ann Hammond
Funeral Service: Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. at Bernard Funeral Home with Bro. Carroll Egnew officiating
Burial: Bradley’s Pleasure Cemetery
Visitation: After 12:00 P.M. on Sunday
Special music: Debbie Conner
Pallbearers: Brad Wilkerson, Scott Wilkerson, Travis Brewster, Leland York, Brently Goodin, and Tim Roy
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations of sympathy be made to God’s Food Pantry, P.O. Box 1503, Russell Springs, KY 42642. Donations can also be made at the funeral home.
Arrangements are entrusted to Bernard Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.bernardfuneralhome.com.
