Juanita Gilless

Juanita Wilford Gilless passed away on August 9, at the age of 79. She was born in 1929 in Barlow, Kentucky, to Kathryn P. and Richard B. Wilford. She attended nearby Murray State University, earning a degree in education. After graduation, she taught elementary school in Evansville, Indiana. She married her college classmate, (the late) L.C. Gilless of Marion, Kentucky, in 1952. The earlier half of their marriage was characterized by frequent changes of residency associated with her husband's career, which was spent mostly with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Security Agency. At one point or another "home" meant Kentucky, Missouri, New York, Maryland, Hawaii, or Japan. For many decades a member of the congregation at Harundale Presbyterian Church, she was a devoted servant of Christ. Drawing on her background in education, she was a dedicated Sunday School teacher, and her compassion for those in need was evident in her dedication to the Church's social support programs. She was also active outside the Church as a volunteer in both adult and immigrant literacy programs for many decades. She is survived by five children, Charles, Keith, Gail, Teresa, and Claire; ten grandchildren, Jeremy, Graham, Elizabeth, Kathryn, Randall, Johnathon, Shannon, Tommy, Anna, and Kristina; and fourteen great grandchildren, Jacob, Justin, Ashlynn, Alyssa, Randall, Tyler, Tyrone, Jesse, Cassidy, Kayden, Keleyse, Trinity, Thomas, & Nyia.