Virginia Anne Knisely passed away peacefully on March 20th, 2016, at her home in Stoney Creek, TN. Born on April 15th, 1941, in Springfield, MA, Virginia lived a long, fruitful life and spent most of it in California, Kentucky, Georgia, and Tennessee. She attended UCLA as an English major, following her passion for the arts. Playing the piano, painting, gardening, baking, and cooking were some of her favorite activities, many of which she has passed along to her children and grandchildren. Her other hobbies included reading, raising Boston Terriers, and accruing a large collection of tea pots.

Virginia is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Patricia Mairs. Virginia is survived by her husband, Kenneth Knisely, and her five children and their families: Eddie and Karen Gates, Debbie Gates Shaw, Robert and Darlene Gates, Lisa Gates, and Cheryl and Craig Brunelle. Virginia also had 11 grandchildren and four siblings, Jim Mairs, Bruce Mairs, Robin Bogner and Lizabeth Samuelson and numerous nieces and nephews.

Virginia’s loving and caring spirit continues on even after her death, as she has selflessly donated her body to the ETSU James H. Quillen College of Medicine. Her family will have a private memorial service. In lieu of flowers Virginia’s family has requested that any donations be made in her honor to the Susan D. Crum Foundation, 615 W. Main Street, Greeneville, TN 37743, an organization that provides financial assistance to local women battling breast cancer.