Kaye Taft Gross

Kaye Taft Gross, 77, passed away peacefully on July 22,2026 at Raintree Assisted Living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Born on December 19, 1948, in Nashville, Tennessee, she was the daughter of William (“Bill”) and Edna Taft.

Kaye was a retired elementary school teacher who devoted her career to educating children in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida. Her longest tenure was at West Elementary School in McMinnville, Tennessee, where she touched the lives of countless students and colleagues through her years of service.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lt. Colonel John E. Gross (Ret.).

She is survived by her children, Jeremy Helton (Melissa) of Jackson, Tennessee, and Hilary Helton of Tulsa, Oklahoma; her stepchildren, Evan Gross (Heather Linke) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Kara Brough (William “Liam” Brough) of Clinton, Tennessee; her grandchildren, Lawson Helton and Lake Helton of Jackson, Tennessee; her sisters, Karen Taft Hastings (Mickey) of Searcy, Arkansas, and Gwynn Taft Pearman (Ron) of Knoxville, Tennessee; and her first cousin, Richard Myers (Regenia) of McMinnville, Tennessee, who was like a brother to her.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers of UT Hospice, Raintree Assisted Living, and her sister Gwynn for the compassionate care, kindness, and dignity they showed Kaye throughout her final years.

There will be a graveside service held at Gardens of Memory in McMinnville, Tennessee at 10:00 Saturday July 25, Lance Hawley officiating. Family and friends will meet at the cemetery. No service or visitation will be held at High's.

Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.