Brenda Gene Knowles

Brenda Gene Knowles, cherished mother, wife, sister, and friend, passed away on March 7th, 2023 at 66 in Durham, North Carolina. Born October 11, 1956 in Quinwood, West Virginia to Gene and Romaine (McClung) Lipps, Brenda was the third of four children. At the age of three, she moved to Northern Virginia with her family, and it was there that she spent most of her life. She settled in Manassas, where she raised her two sons, Isaac (41) and Tim (37), with her husband of over 45 years, Ken. In June of 2022, Brenda and Ken moved to North Carolina to be closer to their son Isaac and his wife Falyn. The two had hoped to buy a home there and also travel the country with their beloved dog and constant companion, Dickens. As a child, she loved to sing along to Mitch Miller and Burl Ives, and as an adult to contemporary Christian and 70s pop music. She was recognized for her melodious voice, and was often asked to sing solo or with her sister Betsy at her church, and later in duets with Ken on guitar. Family was Brenda’s highest priority. She stayed connected to her roots, frequently traveling back to West Virginia to visit relatives. She also enjoyed vacationing across the country with Ken, Tim, and Isaac. Christmas and Easter were her favorite times of year, as she loved to give (and receive) thoughtful gifts and spend time with her friends and family. Fiercely independent, fair-minded, and compassionate, Brenda was a stalwart advocate for her family, friends, and members of her community. Driven by a deep calling to help others, she earned a Bachelor of Liberal Studies in Social Work from the University of Mary Washington, and later an MA in Adult Education from Central Michigan University. She dedicated herself to aiding those in need, working as a teacher's aide for handicapped children, and later as a social worker for several area non-profits and the City of Manassas. She approached her work with dedication, and her kindness and tough love improved the lives of many. She left her job in 2007 in order to care for her mother Romaine, and later her mother-in-law, Ann Knowles. Brenda was preceded in death by her older siblings, Betsy and Bucky. She is survived by her husband Ken, sons Tim and Isaac, her sister Bonnie Holcomb, her niece Marty, he great-niece Abbie, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews in Virginia and West Virginia. She is also survived by many dear friends, including her buddy, Pam, and her “amigas”, Faith and Kaye. Brenda will be laid to rest at Bright View cemetery in Warrenton, Virginia. A viewing will be held on Tuesday March 14th, 2023 at Pierce Funeral Home in Manassas from 7 to 9 PM. A memorial service will be held at Pierce Funeral Home at noon on the 15th, followed by burial. ln lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to CASA CIS (Court Appointed Special Advocates, Children's Intervention Services) in Brenda's honor. Brenda's memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Brenda Gene Knowles

October 11, 1956 - March 7, 2023