Our mother, June (Montana) Dumas, passed away peacefully, at 89, on March 29, 2026. Born in Laird Hill, Texas, where she was known and loved by all as Junebug, June, and Ms. Montana.

June was first and foremost a devoted mother to her four children, pouring her heart into raising them with love, guidance, and strong values. A faithful servant of her church community, she spent many years teaching children in Sunday school. She enjoyed teaching through ‘chalk talks’ where she utilized her artistic talent, drawing and painting, to tell stories of the bible. Her gentle spirit and unwavering love for Christ left a lasting impression on countless young lives.

Later in life, she continued her calling by working in local schools as a Special Needs educator (Houston), eventually serving for many years as an attendance clerk at Chandler Elementary here in Kilgore, Texas. Wherever she was, June had a gift for making children feel seen, loved, and important.

She found joy in the simple and meaningful things—creating artwork for others, composing poems, and eventually illustrating and writing a children’s book called, “Hopeth” telling the story of Christ through the eyes of a little mouse, Hopeth. Furthermore, she loved attending birthdays, ceremonies, games, performances, and events of her grandchildren. She loved nothing more than being involved in the lives of her grandchildren. June is survived by her three children: Denise Aloia, spouse Paul Aloia, of Hallsville; John Daniel Montana, spouse Charlene Montana, of Lake O' the Pines; and Teresa Jones of Kilgore; eight grandchildren; and nineteen great-grandchildren, all of whom carry forward her legacy of love and faith.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Carrie Dee Smith and Ples Levi Smith; her brothers, Richard Earl Smith and Jack Levi Smith; her husband, Arthur Allen Dumas; her ex-husband, Rudy Montana; and her son, Theron Ray Montana.

June’s life was a beautiful reflection of faith in action—a legacy of love, kindness, and devotion that will continue to live on in all who knew her.

A visitation will be held Friday, April 10th, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a funeral service on Saturday, April 11th at 10:00 a.m., both at Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore, Texas. June will be laid to rest at Rusk County Memorial Gardens, near her mother, Carrie Dee Smith.

The family kindly asks that guests wear blue in her honor, her favorite color. A special thank you to Arabella of Kilgore and Kindful Help for providing humor, kindness, and love to our mother. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Kindful Foundation in June’s memory at kindfulfoundation.org.