Nellie "June" Tolliver- Sanders

In a state of broken hearts, the family announces the passing of Nellie June Tolliver Sanders on November 10, 2026, at the age of 89 years. June was born on May 9, 1937, in Sharps Chapel, Tennessee, to Ernest Verlon Tolliver and Minnie Viola (Patton) Tolliver. Her father later moved the family to Harrogate where he took a job at LMU Campus in Harrogate. June attended Powell Valley High School where she received several awards for playing basketball and graduated in 1956. She spent many years as a waitress and cook in the restaurant industry. June retired from her restaurant career as the owner of The Little Tunnel Inn Restaurant in 1977 when she closed the restaurant. She later worked at Mason’s Florist with her daughter and son-in-law. June was always happiest working the land on the family farm in Harrogate. Anyone who spent any amount of time around June learned how to work hard and take pride in your labor. Even though she had retired from cooking, if she wasn’t outside working, you would find her cooking in the kitchen and teaching the family how to cook using her cookbook of recipes that she kept from her restaurant. These are the fondest memories endowed by her upon her family which will be cherished forever.

June was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, James Sanders, along with her siblings: Rodger Willis Tolliver, Ruby Mildred Tolliver-Brooks, James Walter Tolliver, and Wilma Dean Tolliver-Sowders.

Left to cherish a lifetime of memories is a host of nieces and nephews: Anne Elizabeth (Steve) Givens, Jason Eric (Tina) Robinson, Gail Tolliver, James ‘Butch’ Tolliver, Leigh Ann Tolliver, Teresa ‘Penny’ Tolliver, Judy Sharon ‘Suzie’ Icenhour, Amy Icenhour, Jill (Kent) Brooks-Hatmaker, and Charlotte Ann (Lynn) Earls.

June is survived by her siblings: Verlin “Buddy” Tolliver and Madge Tolliver-Robinson.

June is also survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sheila and Steve Mason, along with their children and grandchildren: Roger Dean (Marissa) Mason, Alancia Ann Mason, August ‘Auggie’ Brock, Belle Mason, Logan Mason, and Jack Mason.

The family will gather at the funeral home for a private viewing prior to proceeding to Harrogate Cemetery for a graveside service on November 14, 2026, at 2:00 pm.

Pallbearers are as follows: Steve Mason, Roger Mason, Mike Hensley, Richard Parker, Aaron Robertson, and Auggie Brock.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Tri-State Health and Rehab along with Beacon Hospice, especially Donna Gent and Andrew Ayers, for their compassion and care.

We love you, Nano, and thank you for a wonderful life. Watch over us from Heaven until we are all reunited in paradise.

Always remember that time flows swiftly like sand through an hourglass. Do not allow one grain to pass that is not treasured for there will come a moment when that final grain passes like a whisper into oblivion. Tempus Fugit.

The Arnett & Steele Valley Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Nellie June Tolliver Sanders.