Dorothy Gwendolyn “Babe” Knowles

Dorothy Gwendolyn “Babe” Knowles, 95, of Magnolia, AR passed away August 20, 2024, at the Magnolia Regional Medical Center. Born February 15, 1929, in Paragould, AR to the late Ellis Anderson and Essie Mildred (Little) Johnson, nicknamed “Babe” by her father and was called that the rest of her life.

Babe graduated from Paragould High School in 1946 and was the Vice President of her Senior Class. She attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and was a member of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority and the homecoming court.

She and her husband Buddy married on April 10, 1948, and both worked for Lion Oil Company in El Dorado. When her children were born, she became a stay-at-home mom and was very involved in her children’s activities. She was the past president of the PTA, was a substitute teacher at Eastside Elementary, girl scout troop leader, cub scout den mother, member of the Junior Charity League of El Dorado, and the Junior Chamber of Commerce Auxiliary of El Dorado.

After her children finished school, Babe enrolled and graduated from Southern State College (Southern Arkansas University). She worked in the Business Office at SAU in purchasing and accounting, retiring after 30 years.

Babe was a faithful and active member of the First Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday school and she and Buddy were youth group leaders. She was also a Deacon and Elder.

Babe was active in the Tuesday and Wednesday Bridge Clubs and BBB Book Club.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Clifford Wheeler (Buddy) Knowles, Jr., son Jack Ellis Knowles, and sister Jacqueline Jane Johnson Beane. Babe is survived by her children Cynthia Knowles Hance and Clifford Wheeler Knowles, III (Lisa), grandchildren Clifford Wayne Hance (Joannie) and Matthew Trent Knowles, and great grandchildren Parker, Allie, and Ella Hance.

Graveside services will be Monday, August 26, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Magnolia Memorial Park Cemetery with Rev. Mike Morgan officiating under the direction of Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. in Magnolia.

Memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1417 North Jackson, Magnolia, AR 71753.