Edith Van Cise Knowles

Edith Van Cise Knowles, of Albany died Monday, April 2, 2007 at her residence.Her funeral service will be held at 11 AM Saturday at First Untied Methodist Church with interment to follow in Riverside Cemetery. Dr. Donald M. Kea and Rev. Mike McAfee will officiate. Edith Van Cise Knowles was born in Summit, NJ on June 13, 1913 to Winifred Fritz Van Cise and William Marsh Van Cise. The family moved to Albany, GA on July 15, 1919. Mrs. Knowles graduated from Albany High School in June of 1929. She married Rev. Benjamin R.W. Knowles, Sr. on February 7, 1933. Mrs. Knowles was a member of the First United Methodist Church for 80 years teaching Sunday School for 35 years and holding numerous offices, and organizing mission activities. She worked as a floral designer for 30 years at Albany Floral Company and Pace Florist. Mrs. Knowles taught crafts at SOWEGA Council on Aging for 25 years and was on the Steering committee for establishing Albany Outreach Center God's Action and Helpline and volunteered at the Red Cross and the Albany Museum of Art. She held various positions of responsibility for USO International from 1955-1989. Mrs. Knowles was the Chaplain of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 30, and was a member of the Retired Senior Volunteer program at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. She joined Gold Star Wives International in 1947 and held local and regional positions, serving as National President from 1972 until 1974.Edith believed in a life of service "There are so many people who need someone who cares about them."Edith was awarded the National Commendation "Retired Senior Volunteer Program" by President Ronald Reagan in 1985 Sertoma Club "Service to Mankind Award" in 1976, and the Albany Exchange Club "Book of Golden Deeds" award in 1984.She was preceeded in death by her parents, her husband, son "Bing" BRW Knowles, II, a daughter Peggy Ann Knowles and brother, "Billy" W. M. Van Cise , Jr.Mrs. Knowles is survived by 2 children, Van Cise Knowles, MD and his wife Wesley, and Grace K. Renard and her husband Robert, all residing in Albany, GA; five grandchildren, Spring Bingham and her husband John of Rockville, MD., "Wes" BRW Knowles, III, Amy Kilpatrick and her husband Rick of Augusta, GA, Ken Knowles and his wife Tracy of Marrietta, GA, David Knowles and his wife Kara of Albany; nine great-grandchildren; three sisters, Margaret "Peggy" Shoemaker, Ruth Sapp and Janet Holiday and her husband Charles all of Albany; and special thanks to her faithful, loving caregivers, Gracie Cheatham, Dora Stevens, Marge Parker, Dorothy Wallace, and Ada Redding.Memorial gifts can be made to the First Methodist Church of Albany, P.O. Box 448, Albany, GA 31702, or to your favorite charity.The family will receive friends at Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors Friday from 5 PM until 7 PM.