James Robert Knowles Sr.

James Robert Knowles, Sr. (Bob), 77, passed away Tuesday, November 30, 2010 after an extended illness. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Following high school, James enlisted in the US Army for 3 years, then pursued and achieved a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Alabama. From there he went on to work at IBM as an Engineer and retired after 28 years of service.

Mr. Knowles is the son of the late Hubert Knowles and Nell Graham Knowles of Birmingham, AL. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Ann Veazey.

He is survived by his wife, Billie Sahm Knowles; daughters, Carolyn Beck of Raleigh and Diane Welch of Charlotte; son, James Robert Knowles, Jr. of Hampstead; and his four granddaughters, Stephanie Knowles, Stacey Knowles, Lindsay Welch and Shannon Welch. He also leaves behind his brothers, Bill Knowles of Hayden, AL and Charles Knowles of Enterprise, AL.

A memorial service will be held 11:00AM Saturday, December 4, 2010 at Raleigh Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel, 7501 Glenwood Avenue. Burial will immediately follow the service.

The family will receive friends at the Raleigh Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel starting at 10:00AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058 or to the Ephesus Baptist Church Building Fund, 6767 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27606.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Cary.