Mrs. Annie Sharpe Knowles passed away on Monday, May 31, 2010 at Springwood Care Center at the age of 99. She was a loving and caring mother, grandmother, great/great-great-grandmother who will be greatly missed. She was born in Washington, NC on March 26, 1911 the third of seven children to Squire and Annie Sharpe.
Mrs. Knowles graduated from Elizabeth City State University, formerly known as Elizabeth City Normal School in 1935. She taught school in Pamlico County and then migrated to New York City where she met her husband. From that union two children were born.
In New York City Mrs. Knowles was a housewife and often worked at various jobs outside the home over the years. She was a very active member of Metropolitan Baptist Church and served diligently on the Missionary Board, as well as in many other church ministries. For many years she was a member of the Elks and the Eastern Star, holding offices in each organization. She also belonged to several civic and benevolent clubs, and was a faithful member of the New York City Alumni Chapter of Elizabeth City State University, honored with a "20+ Years of Dedicated Service" plaque in 1996 and in 2002 received a "Life Member Award" from Elizabeth City State University National Alumni Association. Mrs. Knowles was an avid traveler, visiting cities in Europe, Africa, the Holy Land, and the United States-sometimes returning to places she really liked. Classical music and the theatre were also a delight to her. She was a talented woman who was trained in tailoring, and was known for her crocheting, jewelry designs, and pottery skills.
In 1994 she left her beloved New York and moved to Winston-Salem to be near her daughter and granddaughter. She immediately affiliated with First Baptist Church-Highland Avenue and often commented about how well her new church family accepted her; even though she could not work the way she did in her New York church.
She was preceded in death by her siblings; her husband, William Knowles; and granddaughter, Lisa James Cain.
She is survived by her daughter, Leeanna Lee of Winston-Salem, NC; son, William (Mirtha) Knowles of San Jose, CA; three granddaughters, Debra (John) Moncrief of Cornelius, NC, Annie (Shaun) Kamal of San Jose, CA, and Lasonya Allen of Winston-Salem, NC; two grandsons, Alfredo and Andrew Knowles of San Jose, CA; five great-grandsons, Shaun Allende of Washington, DC, Jeremiah Valderrama, Shaun, Elijah, and Ezekiel Kamal of San Jose, CA; three great-great-grandchildren, Jernard, Kayla, and Paige Allen of Winston-Salem, NC; a special niece, Emma Urquhart of Patterson, NJ; special nephews, Alexander Coffield of West Palm Beach, FL and Illya Daniels of Greensboro, NC; and a host of other nieces and nephews. She was mother, aunt, grandmother, and friend to many others who came into her life, all recipients of her love and care.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30am Saturday, June 5, 2010 at First Baptist Church with Reverend Darryl Aaron presiding and Reverend Glenn Pettiford eulogist. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 11am until 11:30am on Saturday at the Church.
The family would like to thank Springwood Care Center-Station One staff and administrators, Hospice Palliative Care Unit of Forsyth County, and the second floor staff at Forest Heights Senior Living Community for their care and concern.