MILDRED E. KNOWLES


Mildred E. Knowles, 92, passed away on December 9, 2012 at Shirkey Nursing Center in Richmond, Missouri. She was born April 19, 1920 in Centralia, Missouri, the daughter of Carson and Goldie Schmoll Blanton. Burial will be 1:00 PM Saturday, December 15, in the Centralia City Cemetery. The Family respectfully requests no flowers. Donations may be sent to the Centralia Historical Society, 319 E. Sneed, Centralia, MO 65240.

Mildred was educated in the Centralia public schools and was valedictorian of the Class of 1938. In her early adult life, she worked at the Centralia Fireside Guard, in various local retail businesses, and as a secretary for the A.B. Chance Company. In 1938, she married Burton Knowles, who preceded her in death in 1994. Both were proud to be actively involved in the community throughout their lives, and were recognized as the first recipients of Centralia's "Citizens of the Year" award in 1991.

From 1968 through 1982 Mildred served as Librarian for the City of Centralia. She was particularly proud of beginning a summer reading program for elementary school children and was honored with the Kiwanis International Distinguished Service Award and a lifetime membership in the Centralia PTA for her work.

In 1985, Mildred became the first woman mayor of Centralia. She said, "I believe that city government is the only pure form of government. On the local level, you respond to the people whom you see on the street each day. You are there to serve the people every day."

In 1989 Mildred was elected to the Board of Directors of the Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. Subsequently she was elected a charter member of the Board of Directors of the Regional Economic Development Corporation. She was also honored to serve on the Board of Directors of the Centralia Historical Society and was a leader in both the Centralia and Boone County Senior Citizens Associations.

Beginning in 1994, she wrote a monthly column, "Always Close to Home," for the Guard that featured remembrances about Centralia people, her family, and her life in the town. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Mildred lived to the fullest, giving back with great generosity to her friends, family, and the town she so greatly loved.

Left to treasure her memory are her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter, Mark and Kathy Firestone and Dr. Kimberly Firestone, of Kansas City, Missouri, as well as so many others whose lives she touched.


ARRANGEMENTS; CULLEN FUNERAL HOME, RAYMORE, MISSOURI
(816)322-5278