Helga R. Gilley, age 86, a resident of Loretto, Tennessee, was called home on high at her residence on September 20, 2026.

She was born on October 8, 1939, in Munich, Germany to the late Rudolf Neumann and the late Elisabeth Goppel Neumann.

Helga was a devout Christian woman with a passion for caring for God’s small children. She did that through her work of early childhood education until her retirement from South Central Human Resource Agency. She loved birds, pretty flowers, telling stories from her childhood, as well as tea and cake at 3 pm daily. Throughout her life, Helga donated to numerous charities for the betterment of others.

She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Newton, her sons, Roy Gilley, James Gilley, and Michael Gilley, eight grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren.

Along with her mother and father, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Edith and Ingrid as well as her loving grandparents.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in her honor. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.