Ruth JoAnn Knowis, age 80, of Lewisburg, Tennessee, died Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at NHC Oakwood.
JoAnn was born June 19, 1944, in Lewisburg, Tennessee, to the late Rufus and Lorene Davis Knowis. She was a member of Farmington Church of Christ. JoAnn was a devoted Christian who loved singing hymns, regularly worshiped and attended services as often as she could. JoAnn was well known for her beautiful voice, performances and love of music. She had a heart of gold and helped many families and friends throughout the years. She will be deeply missed by her family and her lifelong friends.
Her vocal abilities and range were warm and outstanding — she actually could sing soprano, alto, tenor or bass. She also sang lead with “get together” guitar/instrumental groups. She usually sang alto or tenor range at regular a cappella gospel worship services as well as various monthly or random gospel singings. She enjoyed being a part of the Diana Gospel Singing events held on the first full weekend of June and September each year. She often sang until the wee hours of Friday morning until everyone prayed and called it a night. She also sang professionally in her younger years with local bands.
JoAnn loved her animals. She was happy to know before she passed that her two current canine pals are fostered together with a family that loves them, will care for them, play and enjoy them and will continue to feed them the good food to which they were accustomed.
One of her best loved scriptures was Psalms 46:10 – “Be Still and Know that I Am God.” (KJV). She kept this verse framed on her window sill at Maury Regional Hospital and on her window sill at NHC Oakwood.
She is survived by her cousins, Eddie Lee of Woodbury, TN, Joyce Hester of Cleveland, TN, Vickie Hill of Smyrna, TN, and Clyde Lee of Henderson, Nevada.
A memorial service will be announced by the family at a later date.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Farmington Church of Christ or to the Marshall County Animal Shelter.
London Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to assist the family with arrangements.
