Reba Joe “Beckie” Claiborne Knowles age 95 of Knoxville and longtime resident of Smithville passed away Friday morning, September 12, 2025 at Turkey Creek Medical Center in Knoxville. She was born March 21, 1930, to her parents, the late John Miller and Edna Shepard Claiborne. She graduated Knox High and then attended Ward Belmont for a year. Beckie was a homemaker and retired Knowles Hospital administrator alongside her husband, the late Dr. W. W. Knowles, Jr. for many years. She was a Baptist. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Melody Knowles and a grandson, Wayne Graham. She is survived by three daughters, Sherry, Jennifer and Candy (Bob); three grandchildren, Natalie (Tyler), Josie and Layla (Ray) and six great-grandchildren. Private services will be held, and she will be laid to rest by her husband, Dr. W.W. Knowles, Jr at Whorton Springs Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, in memory of Mrs. Knowles. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Knowles Family.
