Kathleen Keiter Knowles

Kathleen Keiter Knowles, 89, died Friday, August 11, 2006 at Boswell Parker Nursing Center. She was born June 30, 1917, in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. She was the wife of the late Capt. Robert Gordon knowles, Sr., of Wisconsin, and the only sister of the late Dr. William George Keiter of Greensboro. Her family relocated in Augusta following her graduation from school. As a young woman, she worked as a secretary for the Boy Scouts of America, and later for the American Red Cross at Fort Gordon. There she met and married her husband, a young soldier on his way to World War II in China. They enjoyed a thirty-nine year marriage; touring the world with the United States Army, stopping in Atlanta in the early sixties.

Kathleen Knowles was a lifelong Christian; serving her Lord through the Episcopal Church, and The Daughters of the King. A Daughter pledges herself to a life-long program of prayer, silent service, and evangelism, dedicated to the spread of Christ''s Kingdom and the strengthening of the spiritual life of her parish. She was a member of the Altar Guild and the Episcopal Church Women for over fifty years. She was an active member of St. Timothy''s Parish in East Atlanta, and Holy Cross Parish, in Decatur. She was instrumental in the birth of Emmaus House, an Episcopal outreach mission now on Hank Aaron Drive, in Atlanta. She began by delivering Government food surpluses and hot meals to young families and elderly citizens, in the mid-sixties. In 1992, along with other community charities, Emmaus House was incorporated into what is now Peoplestown Revitalization Corporation, Inc.

Mrs. Knowles "retired" to Lake Sinclair in 1975, joining the congregation of St. Stephen''s Church, in Milledgeville. She continued her life of service by delivering "Meals on Wheels" from the Central State kitchens to neighborhood shut-ins, and devoting herself to a twenty-year ministry in the form of a Wednesday evening healing service at the Women''s Prison there.

Kathleen possessed a true artistic gift - the ability to capture God''s world through her own eyes onto canvas. She pleased her family and friends with many beautiful landscapes and portraits throughout her life. She never wavered from her service to Christ''s Kingdom to one of professional recognition; her only public work remains as a mural she created in 1982; after the sudden death of her husband. It has welcomed children to St. Stephen''s Sunday school these twenty years. Each of her friends and children possess a masterpiece, created with her gift, and given freely. Kathleen chose to use her many talents as a mentor, Mother, and friend. She painted with the ability she received along with "the gift of joy and wonder in all His works" that we each receive at our baptisms.

Kathleen Knowles was a true American Matriarch, a descendant of Revolutionary War and Civil War soldiers, and survived by four generations of her own offspring. She leaves behind the nine children raised in her home, five of her own, and four of her brother''s. Robert Gordon Knowles Jr., of Stone Mountain, Michael William Knowles of Milledgeville, Timothy Cecil Knowles of Gwinnett County, Julie Knowles Watkins of Eatonton, Kathleen McGee-Davall of Milledgeville, William George Keiter Jr., of Augusta, Susan Keiter Reddick and Virginia Keiter Pomazal, both living in Milledgeville, and Donald Arthur Keiter of Eatonton. Mrs. Knowles also graced this world with fifteen grandchildren, two adopted grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren ( with three on the way), and one great-great grandchild. Mary Louise and Frank Beihl of Owego, New York are the only surviving members of Kathleen''s childhood family. Mary was her first cousin and both were her true "best friends," and lifelong supporters.

She was known as Kassy, Kitty, Aunt Kitty, Momma, and Grandma, and she will be missed.....

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 at 12:00 noon at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Greensboro with The Rev. D. Geoffrey Taylor officiating. Interment will follow at Greenview Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday morning at McCommons Funeral Home. Serving as pallbearers are her grandsons. Memorials may be made to the Church of the Redeemer Episcopal School, 303 N.Main Street, Greensboro, GA 30642. McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.

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