Parent links provided by Contributor Ed Cartwright III 48826909, February 14, 2024

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Wanda Gayle Knowles

December 27, 1938 - September 20, 2023

Wanda Gayle Borah Knowles was born to John and Lillie Borah on December 27, 1938, in Dallas, Texas. She was the last living of twelve siblings. Her three brothers, Kenneth, Bob and Don Borah and her eight sisters, Ruby, Virginia, Jessie, Ercelle, Jean, Nina, Joyce and Lonna.

She married Don Ray Knowles on August 16, 1957, in Dallas, Texas where they lived most of their lives together, except for the two years they were stationed in Portland, Maine while Don was serving in the Coast Guard.

Gayle was a long-time member of Casa Linda United Methodist Church. She found joy in serving as a Sunday School teacher, member of women's bible study and President of United Methodist Women. She was always actively involved in PTA while her children were in school.

Her favorite pastimes were Gardening, Baking, Hosting and spending time with her family.

Gayle entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after a long battle with Alzheimer's on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.

Gayle leaves behind her husband of 66 years, Don Ray Knowles. Sons Drew Anthony Knowles and wife Cynthia, Donald Scott Knowles and wife Carie, Doyle Kirk Knowles and wife Cynthia and daughter Kelley Kay Knowles.

She also leaves behind 7 grandchildren. Drew Anthony Knowles, Jr .and wife Amber, Hannah Caroline Knowles, Mary Lee Knowles, Clayton Kirk Knowles, Austin Davis Burgamy, Adam Porter Burgamy and Elizabeth Claire Knowles as well as 4 great grandchildren Adelyn Knowles, Judah Knowles, Oliver Knowles and Josiah Knowles.

Even as we mourn Gayle's death, we are deeply grateful for the life of a fabulous wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother. We were so blessed to be loved by her, and each of our lives were enriched by her in more ways than we can count.

While we rejoice that she is now completely healed and in the presence of her Savior, we will miss her fun, infectious laugh, her all-day-long coffee consumption, her wonderful gift for hosting and hospitality, and her great love for all of her family.

She was fiercely loyal, always defending whichever member of the family happened to be getting picked on at the time! She kept a beautiful home and loved gardening. She was a wonderful sibling to 8 sisters and 3 brothers, and a devoted daughter to her parents. She loved the role of homemaker, and she carried it out effortlessly – and always looked like a movie star in the process!

The people who knew her best have described her as kind and beautiful, gracious and loving, sweet, gentle, fun, generous and elegant.

To know Gayle was to love her, and to be loved by her. She will be profoundly missed.