(WBIR- East Knoxville) Hundreds lined up Sunday night outside the Love Kitchen to pay their respects to one of Knoxville's most well-loved women.
Ellen Turner co-founded The Love Kitchen with her twin sister Helen in February of 1986. Those who knew Turner said she is leaving behind a legacy of love and giving back to the community.
"These are the folks that have a little piece of Ellen inside of them because they made it their mission to teach people how to care for others," Ray Abbas, a past president of the Love Kitchen, said about the people who came to remember Ellen.
Over nearly three decades, the Love Kitchen has seen countless volunteers. Ellen and Helen were known for working hard alongside volunteers in the kitchen and doing it with a bit of humor on the side.
"They were always so much fun to be around, and the back and forth between the two of them, they were very very close," Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, said.
The two twins were known for picking on one another in fun, with Ellen frequently pointing out to Helen that she was older by five minutes. The competition between the two is something many say will never end.
"Honestly if she could tell Helen and everything right now, I think her first thing would be, 'I beat you here. I beat you here. Told you I would. I beat you here. And she said i'm up here with all of our friends and our Lord, and you're still down there,'" Jerri Shelley, a volunteer with the Love Kitchen, said.
Ellen may have won this race, but many in the Knoxville community say she will forever be remembered for serving food and lessons of love.
"I truly believe this, I do, that she's in Heaven right now with our Lord, and He has said well done my good and faithful child," Shelley said.
