Ruby Marie Knowles, 87, of Burgaw, N.C. left to meet her Heavenly Father on March the 2nd, 2020. Few people truly leave the world a better place than when they found it. Marie, "Ree" to her friends, was one of those people. She, along with her beloved husband Robert, "Rock", served Christ in the role of house parents for the Baptist Children's Homes of N.C.  Countless boys and girls were introduced to Christ by way of ears that listened and never judged, hands that held, healed, and fed, hearts that hurt, loved and prayed. Galatians 5:22, 23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." Marie was all of these to so many children. It's fitting that she was blessed to have 5 generations. Those left behind will work to honor the legacy of service left to them.

Marie was born in Duplin County, the daughter of the late Admah and Ada Mae Everett Lanier. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert; and brothers, Admah, Jr., Herbert, Cal, and Joe.

Marie is survived by her children, Linda Smith (Drake), Fran Jackson (David) and David Knowles (Glenda); grandchildren, Dawn Clark (Allen), Angie Casha (Keith), Shawn Knowles (Meredith), Lisa Jones (Ashley), and Phillip Knowles (Janessa); great grandchildren, Jenny Ivey (Daniel), Nick Pate (Kina), Leah Reed (Marcus), Aaron and Gracelynn Casha, Sophia and Graham Knowles, Keira, Miya, and Michael Jones, and Dylan Knowles; great great grandchildren, Brayden Brickhouse, Daniel III and Jackson Ivey, Levi and Granger Pate and Kaia Reed; siblings, Bill Lanier (Leathia), Mary Ann Howard, and Robert Lanier (Joyce); sisters-in-law, Carol Lanier and Theo Batts (Claiborne); numerous nieces and nephews; foster daughters, Trudy Hatcher, Wendy Rogers (Marc) and Delania Lefler (Jim); and lifetime friend and beloved caregiver, Elaine Sisk.

Marie was a faithful member of Atkinson Baptist Church.

Marie was an extraordinary woman of God whose resounding faith and love for family was unmatched. Her brightly shining light often served as a guide to those around her. Those that knew Marie will always remember her passion for sewing, cooking for those she loved and spending holidays with family.  She was a true example of what it meant to be a Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Great Great Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and Friend. Her presence in our lives will be forever missed but we find solace in knowing she is at peace and rejoicing with her Almighty Father.

The family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 6, 2020 at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home in Burgaw and at other times will be at Marie's home. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. The Reverend David Knowles and The Rev. Ken Smith will  conduct the service. Burial will follow in Riverview Memorial Park.

A wonderful tribute to Marie  would be if you would consider a memorial contribution to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Foundation, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401 in her honor and memory.

Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family by selecting Tribute Wall.

A service of Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home Burgaw Chapel.