Gaynelle Steele Russell

Gaynelle Steele Russell, age 78, passed away peacefully and met her Jesus face to face on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

Gaynelle was the first-born daughter of Claude and Ruth Steele of Greenback. She attended Greenback High School and Knoxville Business College. After school, she started working at Lakeshore Mental Health before moving to the University of Tennessee, where she retired. After retiring from UT, she worked for 5 years with A Hand Up for Women. Gaynelle was involved with WMU and was on the board of the Loudon County Women’s Job Corps. She was the church secretary for Morganton Baptist Church for many years.

Gaynelle was preceded in death by daughter, Kristin Ferrell; mother, Ruth Steele; father, Claude Steele; sister, Claudette Arstikaitis; mother-in-law, Lucy Russell; father-in-law, Buck Russell; brothers-in-law, David Russell and James Russell.

Gaynelle is survived by her husband of 59 years, Murphy Russell; daughter, Laura (Keith) Henry; grandchildren, Jarred Pekala, Morgan (Robert) McNutt and Will Ferrell; three beautiful great-grandchildren which were her pride and joy, Charlie Pekala, Hensley McNutt and Hudson McNutt. She is also survived by brother and sisters-in-law, Bobby (Rhoda) Russell, Opal Marsh, Elbert Russell, Miranda Russell and Donna Russell.

The family will receive friends from 12:00-2:00 PM, Sunday, January 11, 2026, at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home with the service to follow at 2:00 PM with Rev. Tommy Self officiating. Immediately following the service, family and friends will meet at Axley’s Chapel Cemetery for the interment.