Their names are Virginia June Rountree and Verdenia Mae Rust. But the students who live around the 83- and 87-year-old sometimes just call them Aunt June and Rusty.

Rountree has lived on Colonial Court near an apartment complex full of mostly students for 21 years. Her sister and neighbor, Rust, has lived just steps away from campus for 46 years.

When Rust moved into the neighborhood, her neighbors consisted of mostly elderly people. But by the time Rountree moved to the street, students had taken over. That’s fine with them.

The sisters are originally from Louisville, and they moved to Bowling Green in 1946. They both worked in the food service industry. Rountree has owned two restaurants, Smith’s Grove Tea Room and the Dinette in Bowling Green.

“We knew everybody,” Rountree said.

And they have known many students too, “hundreds and hundreds of students,” Rust said.

Rountree said the students tell them to ask for help when they need it. Students will knock on their doors and ask if the sisters need them to go to the grocery store or the post office.

“And they’ll give me a hug sometimes, too,” Rountree said.

Rountree said they have met so many students she can’t remember them all, but she lists off several names and students’ hometowns. They have met students from all over the country, and from all over the world, including China, Japan and India.

The sisters get letters and cards from students who have graduated and moved, and some will come visit them.

“They just come by and knock on the door,” Rust said.

“‘Are y’all still here?’” Rountree said the former students will ask when they visit.

The sisters have given and received presents from students. They’ve gotten poinsettias and candy for Christmas. Rountree gave a graduating drama student a necklace and told her to think of her when she became a famous actress.

Jonathan Woods, a senior from Maple Grove, Minn., has lived in one of the apartment buildings near the sisters since January 2004.

The more he came to know them, the sweeter they were, he said.

“They refer to us as their kids,” he said.

The sisters said that they think a lot of the students.

“They don’t bother us at all,” Rountree said. “I think they look after us.”

Reach Kelly Richardson at features@wkuherald.com.