THELMA MAE KNELL

THELMA MAE KNELL (PENNY) Thelma Mae Knell (Penny) of McAllen, TX passed away peacefully with her husband, Marty and son, Mark by her side at the Comfort House in McAllen on October 23, 2014, after a long illness. Penny was born in Jackson, KY and graduated from Logan High School in Logan, WV. Penny and Marty were married October 23, 1941 and lived in West Virginia and Texas. They were members of the First Christian Church of McAllen. Penny had a long career with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, retiring after 37 years as Chief Operator of the McAllen Office. She will always be remembered as a loving, devoted and adoring wife to Marty, Mother to her son Mark, and Mamaw to her grandsons and her great grandchildren. Penny was preceded in death by her parents, John and Dora Fletcher; sister, Nita (Gerald) Pierce; brothers, Kermit Fletcher and John Fletcher; sister-in-law, Francis Jones; and brother-in-law, Bender Jones. Penny is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Marty Knell; son, Mark (Sandy) Knell of New Braunfels, TX; grandson, Doug (Heather) Knell and children, Bryce and Gunnar of Boerne, TX; Ryan (Jennifer) Knell and children, Leighton and Harper, of Spring Branch, TX; niece Terry (Gary) Cooper and son, Brent of Knoxville, TN; sister-in-law, Ruth Fletcher of Rockwood, TN; former daughter-in-law, and mother to Doug and Ryan, Linda Schoening of Boerne, TX ; life-long friend, Paula Ruiz of Edinburg, TX; and many friends who cared for her deeply. A graveside service for family and friends is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Monday October 27, 2014 at Valley Memorial Gardens, with Pastor Chris Voss and Max Grubb officiating. Following the service, family will receive friends at the home of Marty Knell. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to the Comfort House, 617 Dallas Ave., McAllen, TX 78501, who showed great care and compassion during a difficult time. Kreidlerfuneralhome.com Sign the guest book at www.themonitor.com/obituaries