Evelyn Yarborough Knowles

Mary Evelyn Yarborough Knowles was born on October 10,1921 in Mobile, Alabama and left us on July 27,2025. She grew up in Whistler, AL where her grandparents had 25 acres of land that bordered Eight Mile Creek. Lucky for the children, her grandparents, both schoolteachers, believed they should be outside playing, not inside working. They grew up in the creek where the water was pristine and freezing cold. Sadly, at the age of seven, her mother passed away leaving Mom and her two younger brothers in the care of their grandparents and three crazy aunts who played with them and doted on them until they were spoiled rotten. Although she mostly stayed that way for the rest of her life, she was still kind, generous, loving, wise and Godly. My Dad spoiled her and upon his death in 1999, my sister, Kathy, and I took over the role and gladly so. My husband and I sold our home and moved into something to accommodate four people and we have had Kathy and Mom with us for twenty-five years. As time moved forward, she began to have health issues but always pulled though. She had two Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacements, a broken hip, a pacemaker, Diverticulitis and most recently shingles. Six weeks ago she was at the casino playing the hot slots that she loved. That was her last trip. Things began to go downhill and although she tried and we tried, healing was just not to be. Her pain was unstoppable. She has left a hole in our hearts and our home that is indescribable. Given the opportunity, we would do it all over again, minus the shingles.

There are people to thank that have been instrumental in keeping her happy and healthy enough to see 103 years. First, my amazing husband who allowed my family into our home, never complained and was our knight in shining armor. Sidney Evans, you are the best. Not everybody would have been so generous. I really scored with him. Next, Dr. Frank Martin Lester who treated our Mom and Dad through all of their medical struggles. They thought he was the greatest. They were right. Dr. John Galla, who saw her through not one, but two TAVR's at 93 and 97 years of age. We thought he was a miracle worker. He was.

Ms. Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Dan H. Knowles, Sr., mother, Catherine Schottgen Yarborough, her father, Leslie Lamar Yarborough, Sr., her step mother, Evelyn Yarborough, paternal grandparents, Geoge Everitt and Willie Dorinda Yarborough, brothers, Leslie Lamar (Adele) Yarborough, Jr., and Everitt Joseph Yarborough, sister, Joy Yarborough Turner, her adoring aunts, Lucille Yarborough (Jewel) Boone, Ethel Yarborough (George) Bailey, and Mainor Yarborough, great aunt, Pauline Schottgen Alexander, mother-in-law, Addie Ray and Mom's two oldest children and their spouses, Dan (Brenda) Knowles, Jr., and Beverly Knowles (Stanley) Vinsant.

Survivors include daughters, Debbie Knowles (Sidney) Evans, Mobile, Kathy Knowles McArdle, Mobile, grandchildren, Tracie Vinsant (Craig) Stanley, Spanish Fort, Vickie Vinsant Bailey, Fairhope, Wade Knowles, Mobile, Marc (Jessica) Knowles, Mobile, great grandchildren, Benji (Abby) Stanley, Spanish Fort, Brandon (Marian) Bailey, Gulfport, Nicholas Bailey, Fairhope, Daniel Knowles, Mobile, Caroline Knowles, Mobile, Maia Knowles Mobile, and Erin Knowles, Birmingham, great great grandchildren, Helen Blake Bailey and Evelyn (Evie) Mae Bailey, of Gulfport, sister in law, Rosalee Yarborough, Turnerville.

Services will be held from Pine Crest Funeral Home, DIP, on Wednesday, July 30. Family from 12:00-12:30, Friends 12:30- 2:00, Funeral service at 2:00 PM in the chapel.

The service will be officiated by Reverend David Sullivan of Faith Family in Spanish Fort. Pallbearers are Ms. Evelyn's grandsons and great grandsons, Wade Knowle, Marc Knowles, Craig Stanley, Brandon Bailey, Benji Stanley, and Nicholas Bailey.

After the service we are heading to TP Crockmiers on Dauphin St. at the corner of Dauphin and Joachim. There is parking in the rear of the building and some on the street. Everyone is welcome to join us for a late lunch or early supper and share stories about Ms. Evelyn or just enjoy the company.