Helen Elaine Gunsallus

Helen Elaine “Lainey” Gunsallus, 74 of Knoxville passed away peacefully on January 13, 2022. Lainey never met a stranger. She lived life with a full heart and profound love for people (especially her family), children, and animals. She held many jobs over her lifetime, but was most proud of her time spent teaching “Head Start” early in her career. She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Helen Gillis and sister Elizabeth Gillis.

She is survived by sisters Kathy Moore (husband Ron), Julia Gillis Larson (husband Jim Lichtenthal), and children Jennifer Mann (husband Mike), Amy McKamey (husband John), Eric Gunsallus (wife Murcedes), eight grandchildren (Andy, Jessica, Matt, Brandon, Amber, Grace, Everett, and Elias) and four great-grandchildren.

The family plans to have a private celebration of life at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to organizations supporting causes dear to her: American Red Cross, Young Williams Animal Shelter, or Donate Life America.