Barbara Jo Knowles

Barbara Jo Knowles, 82, passed away on August 13, 2024, in Grand Junction, Colorado. Barbara, affectionately known as Bobbie, will be remembered for her courage in the face of adversity and for the unwavering commitment to helping others. Her legacy of kindness and compassion will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Bobbie’s early years were spent in New York City, New York, where she was born on March 20, 1942, to Adolph and Muriel Sapot. However, when she was a young girl, her family moved to West Palm Beach, Florida. She excelled in her studies and graduated from Palm Beach High School in 1959, she began working as a proofreader in the classified department of the Palm Beach Post Times. She married Calvin Knowles in 1961, but they later divorced. In pursuit of her passion for nursing, Bobbie attended Palm Beach Junior College and earned her nursing degree in 1976. She then worked for many years at St. Mary’s Hospital in West Palm Beach, where she took great pride in caring for children in the pediatric unit.

Throughout all the struggles, Bobbie was a devoted and dedicated mother to her two children, Tracie and Mike. Despite being a single mom, she worked tirelessly to provide for her family, often holding down multiple jobs at a time. She always maintained a positive attitude and put their needs above her own. Bobbie’s love for her children was evident in her attendance at every school and sporting event, showing her unwavering support and dedication. She was a strong and loving mother who never complained and showed her children the value of perseverance and determination.

In 1988, Bobbie and Mike moved to Minturn, Colorado, where she began working at Turntable Restaurant. Her warm and welcoming personality quickly made her a favorite among her customers, and she formed strong friendships with many of them. In 1993, she moved to Grand Junction, Colorado and joined Mike at Stadium Texaco, the only full-service gas station in town. She had a special talent for remembering all her customers by name and loved listening to their life stories. In fact, many people in the community knew her only as “Mom” and she left an unforgettable impression on all who knew her.

In 2004, she took on a new challenge and joined Mike at Knowles Enterprises. Despite having no prior knowledge or experience in the trucking industry, she was determined to learn everything she needed to know and became the safety director. Her determination and hard work were evident in everything she did, and she continued to be an inspiration until the very end of her life.

Although Bobbie had many great accomplishments in her life, she always said that her greatest achievement was being a grandmother, or “nanny” as she was lovingly called by her grandchildren. Nurturing and caring for her grandchildren brought her immense joy and fulfillment, and she cherished every moment spent with them. She dedicated her life to being the best grandmother to them, always showering them with love, support and wisdom. They were her pride and joy, and she was grateful to have them in her life.

Bobbie is preceded in death by her parents Adolph and Muriel Sapot, and her sister, Hedy Sapot.

She is survived by daughter Tracie Sargent, son Mike (Kim) Knowles; her four grandchildren Krysta Padgett (Travis), Chloe Sargent, Zach Knowles, Bryson Knowles and one Great-grandchild; Willow Padgett.

Friends and family are invited to join us in celebrating the life of our beloved Bobbie. The service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at Victory Life Church in Fruita, Colorado. We will remember and honor Bobbie’s life and the impact she had on all those around her.

Casual Attire

In lieu of flowers, one of Bobbie’s passions was her love for animals, especially her four-legged dogs. Therefore, we kindly ask that you consider donating to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in her memory. This will help continue her legacy of caring for and protecting animals in need.

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

5001 Angel Canyon Road

Kanab, UT 84741

435-688-2327