Ethel Lee Knowles

Reidsville–Ethel Lee Parrish Knowles departed from this life to her heavenly home on May 26, 2015 at the Brian Center in Eden, NC after several years of declining health. Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, May 30, 2015 at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Walter Daves officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at 1:00 PM and interment will follow at New Hope Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery on the Grooms Road. She was born October 22, 1926 to the late Cecil Monroe Parrish and Julia Mae Williams Parrish. In 1944 she married her beloved husband, William Morris “Willie” Knowles, who predeceased her in 1988. Together they made a life and had eight children. She is predeceased by two daughters, Shelby Jean Hall and Janice Gail Knowles. Ethel also lost twin infants and two additional infants. A devoted wife and mother, she spent her life working hard at Burlington Industries, American Tobacco Company and at other times on the farm and taking care of her family. She was a dedicated member of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church where she served as Secretary and Treasurer for many years and was a member of WMU and the choir as she loved to sing. She is also predeceased by a half-brother, Walter Ray “Pete” Beasley and a half-sister, Polly Dunn. Survivors include her two sons, William Joseph “Joey” Knowles and his friend and caregiver, Lisa Ashby, Weldon Keith Knowles and wife, Louella of Reidsville and a special son-in-law, Charles Hall; grandchildren, Brandy Vaughn Smith of Reidsville, Barrett Brown of Spring Hill, Florida, Preston Knowles of Reidsville, Reid Griffin of Madison, Michael Hall of Reidsville, Robin Hall Brown and husband, Dean of Reidsville, Ricky Apple, Brittany Reynolds and husband, Zack, both of Reidsville; ten great-grandchildren, Nelson Smith, Marilyn Smith, Barrett Brown, Jr., Brianna Brown and Alana Brown, Conner Brown and Logan Brown, Kadence Hudson, Zachary Reynolds, and Aiden Apple. She also leaves behind a host of other special family members, church family and friends. The family will see friends at the home of her son, Joey Knowles at 414 McCoy Road, Reidsville. Wilkerson Funeral Home is assisting the family and condolences may be sent to www.wilkersonfuneral.com.