June Gossett Yarborough

June G. Yarborough, 84, of Aiken, SC, passed away Thursday, August 14, 2025, after a brief illness.

Born and raised in Laurens, SC, to the late Fred and Dora Belle Gossett, June graduated from Lander College in 1962 and began a long career as a beloved schoolteacher, retiring in 1994. Even decades after they’d left her classroom, former students would recognize her instantly.

June was married to the late Bob Yarborough, and together they made Aiken their home for the last 54 years. Known to most simply as “Nana,” she lived life with joy, laughter, and an endless sense of adventure.

A lifelong Clemson Tigers fan, June bled orange — literally choosing it whenever a color choice was offered on anything from a phone case to a shirt to the color of her nails. She held season tickets for decades, attended two of Clemson’s National Championship wins, and could be heard cheering from her seat in Death Valley with unshakable enthusiasm.

June’s creativity and love for quilting took her on cruises, road trips across the country in search of the “good” quilt stores, and into deep friendships through the Carolina Pine Quilters (where she served as president), Peaceful Heart Quilt Guild, and Quilters of South Carolina. She was also part of a special group known as the Busy Bees.

Her love of travel carried her far — from Russia to Jerusalem, Italy, Greece, and across the United States. At home, she loved Shag music and dancing, mission trips, and using her sewing skills to bless others, making pillowcase dresses for children served by missionaries. She poured her heart into helping with Operation Christmas Child and served in Millbrook Baptist Church’s Vacation Bible School, in addition to coordinating costumes for Millbrook’s Christmas show.

June loved her family and rarely missed a chance to cheer on her grandchildren, whether it be volleyball, soccer, football, baseball, softball, basketball, cheerleading, pageants, dance recitals, or golf. Her own schedule was anchored by her gym days at Kenny Ray Personal Fitness, where she took great pride in matching — and sometimes beating — the squats, push-ups, and kettlebell swings of people many years younger.

She is survived by her children, Ruthie (David) Graham and Robbie (Jenny) Yarborough; nine grandchildren: Hayley (Brandon) McKellar, Jayme (Catherine) Graham, Emma Grace Yarborough, Jay Jay Yarborough, Ryley Graham, Josh Graham, Cross Yarborough, Anderson Yarborough, and Jeremiah Yarborough; and her best friend, Paula Brown.

A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, August 17, 2025. Visitation will be in the Connection Center at Millbrook Baptist Church at 1:00 p.m., with services following in the sanctuary at 2:00 p.m. Graveside services will be held at Southlawn Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. In honor of her love for the Tigers, the family requests that those attending wear orange and/or purple.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Operation Christmas Child.

SHELLHOUSE - RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC