James "Dewayne" Knowles

1952 - 2024

James "Dewayne" Knowles

James "Dwayne" Knowles died unexpectedly on Monday, May 27, 2024, at Compass Lake. He was 71.

A Celebration of his life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, June 2, 2024, at The Episcopal Church of the Nativity with the Rev. Bob Coleman officiating. A private burial will follow in Memory Hill Cemetery with Glover Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends in the Parrish Hall of The Episcopal Church of the Nativity from 2:00 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. Sunday prior to service time.

Dwayne was born July 21, 1952, in Webb, Alabama, to James and Mavis Knowles. He graduated from Houston County High School in 1970 where he excelled in every sport and was the recipient of numerous athletic awards. Following graduation, he received a football scholarship to Florida State University. He returned home after a knee injury which no longer allowed him to play the sport. In 1971, he enrolled in Wallace College and played baseball. Dwayne was known for his many athletic abilities. He continued his education at Troy University where he received his Business Degree.

In earlier years, he was employed with Daniel Construction Company. In 1988, he went to work at Saia Motor Freight in Dothan and became manager in 1989. He also worked at the Columbia yeast plant with his best friend, Mike Lavallee for several years before returning back to the transportation sales field. Dwayne continued his trucking career at the American Trucking Association for seventeen years prior to his retirement in 2010. He was a member of The Episcopal Church of the Nativity.

When Dwayne was not at Compass Lake, he loved golfing. He enjoyed his many golf groups throughout the years especially his rounds at the Dothan Country Club. He loved being with friends and family and good music, especially Jimmy Buffet. Dwayne had a special place in his heart for his granddaughter, "Lizzy Grace" whom he adored.

Dwayne was predeceased by a daughter, Jessica Wheelless Knowles; his parents, James and Mavis Knowles; and a brother, Jimmy Royce Knowles.

Survivors include his wife, Beverly "Bug" Wheelless Knowles of Dothan; a son, James Knowles, Jr. (Elizabeth) of Auburn; grandchildren, Elizabeth Grace "Lizzy Grace" Knowles of Auburn; two sisters, Beth Knowles Cain (Tom) of Webb and Dot Knowles Bristow (Lowell) of Columbia; several nieces and nephews, Trip Wheelless (Michelle), Hayes Wheelless (Paola Ramirez), Courtney Bristow Henderson (Jamie), Jamie Sewell, (Nick), Caleb Bristow (Freda) and Richard Goldman; and special friends, Casey Phillips and Sherry Hodgson.

Ask to serve as pallbearers are Will Sconyers, Brock Hodgson, Josh West, Zack Kelley, Landon Wheelless, Caleb Bristow, David Reeves Forrester and Jesse Morris. Honorary pallbearers will be Dave Brody, Dr. Craig Coe, David Forrester, Darren Kennard, Carl King, Grady King, Mike Lavallee, Joe Smith, Brannon Vann and The Fish Golf Group.

In lieu of Flowers, memorials may be made to the Southeast Health NeuroBalance Parkinson's Program, 1922 Fairview Avenue, Dothan, AL 36301.

Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com.