Obituary of Elaine Turner Tillery

It is with a heavy heart but a joyful spirit that we announce the passing of Elaine Turner Tillery into Glory on July 26, 2024. Elaine was born in Jackson County, KY to Alton and Nell [Wilson] Turner on August 26, 1944.  She would have been 80 years old this birthday.

Particular, pragmatic, organized, and simply classy, Elaine was raised in Grayhawk, KY very near McKee, KY.   She married her teenage sweetheart, Wendell Tillery who lived three miles away and attended a different high school. Elaine utilized her sizable intellect to make the world (or at least our small part of Northern Kentucky) a better place. She and Wendell together attended Eastern Kentucky University, obtaining Master’s degrees in Education. When opportunity struck to relocate to Walton, KY to teach at Walton Verona High School, they departed from the land where the bluegrass meets the mountains and bid farewell, although not forever.

For many years, Elaine taught typing and business at Walton Verona.  She obtained a practical PhD but never completed a dissertation, preferring to remain with her students in the classroom over being promoted to leadership and administration. She imparted her love for learning to she and Wendell’s only child, April, who trained and practiced as a physician. It was often said that Elaine could have been a CEO of a large company. Instead, she juggled being an educator, a devoted wife and partner and dedicated, loving mother. After her retirement from Walton Verona, she ran a tight ship as the office manager of April’s practice and continued teaching—this time instructing aspiring student teachers at Northern Kentucky University.

A perpetual solider of the cross, Elaine witnessed to those in need in many ways over the course of her life. One special calling she had was being a member of The Gospel Way Bluegrass Singers, in which she played the bass. Elaine knew that sometimes the power of music could illuminate that which words or numbers, facts or figures never could.

Elaine was the wife and partner of over 60 years to Wendell Tillery; mother to Dr. April Tillery (Stephen “Steve” Winhusen); and nana to Daniel Winhusen. She was a dear aunt and cousin as well as a special friend to Jewel Overby, Bonnie Tincher, John (Kim) Little and Tom (Linda) Furguson. Additionally, Elaine’s legacy lives on in the many hearts and minds of her former students. 

Elaine was welcomed into Heaven by her late parents and her brother, Charles Turner.

A private graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family.  Elaine will return home to the hills of Grayhawk, KY to be laid to rest near family and kinfolk.  Memorial donations may be made in Elaine’s memory online to the American Cancer Society or by mail to New Hope Tabernacle Church Of God, 1400 Walton Nicholson Rd, Walton, KY 41094 to benefit the Missions Field Of Israel.