Valerie Malmar Knowles

Valerie Malmar Knowles of Atlanta, Georgia and formerly Greenville, SC, was called to heaven July 12, 2015 to be with her Lord and Savior and with her husband of fifty years, Cecil Martin Knowles, who preceded her in death in 1998.

Valerie was born April 30, 1921 in Westfield, New Jersey to Hilda Reeb Malmar and Ward Brewster Malmar.

She is survived by her two daughters: Debbie Spink and husband Peter, of Greer, South Carolina, and Sherry Malmar Knowles of Atlanta, Georgia; four grandchildren: Jessica Spink Sullivan (Gary), Peter Bradley Spink (Meredith), Brooke Malmar Shafer (Mark) and Chet Christopher Zalesky.

She also had four great-grandchildren: Sarah Catherine Sullivan, Parker Sullivan, Ava Gensemer, and William Spink.

According to her daughters, Valerie was the best mother a child could have. She combined wisdom, fun, generosity, good judgement, and a grand sense of adventure. Whenever she walked into a room her infectious smile and radiant countenance brightened the room. It was not uncommon for strangers to engage her in conversation, because she possessed that rare ability to listen, to understand, and to lift others up. She was always a gracious hostess with the gift of hospitality and prepared wonderful meals for her guests.

Other activities she enjoyed included playing bridge and oil painting. Valerie traveled throughout the world with her family enjoying the richness of global cultures. She and Cecil also cherished many years in their home at Harbor Island, South Carolina, where they fished and taught their grandchildren how to crab and watch for alligators and porpoises. During their time at Harbor Island, Valerie volunteered at Beaufort Memorial Hospital. They also enjoyed boating at Lake Hartwell. She was among the first women to pass the Power Squadron exams.

Valerie and her husband were members of the Poinsett Club and First Presbyterian Church of Greenville, SC. Later, she joined Fairview Presbyterian Church in Fountain Inn.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Halcyon Hospice Foundation, 1435 Haw Creek Circle, Suite 402, Cumming, Georgia 30041 or the Fairview Presbyterian Church Building Fund, PO Box 1664, Fountain Inn, S.C. 29644.

A memorial service, followed by a visitation will be held Sunday, July 26, at 3:00 p.m. at Mackey Mortuary, 311 Century Drive, Greenville, SC 29607.

The family encourages attendees to wear bright colors to celebrate Valerie’s radiance.