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Mary Ann (Pruett) Knowles, age 82, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2026. A funeral service will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 12200 Bailey Cove Road, Huntsville, Alabama 35803, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026. Family, friends, and guests are invited to attend. A visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. The Reverend Donovan Cain will officiate the service with the Reverend Jeannie Randall preaching. Interment will follow at Forestlawn Gardens, 730 Golden Springs Road, Anniston, Alabama 36207, at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026. A graveside service will be conducted by the Reverend Donavan Cain. Family, friends and guests are welcome to attend. Pallbearers will be Ethan Morris, Jaxson Roley, Dave Vann, Kreg Knowles, Lenny Doucette, Brian Knowles, Brandon Knowles, Wade Roley, and Paul Potter. Alternate pallbearers will be Garry Griffith and Alexander Steel. Honorary pallbearers include Fred Faulkner, Joe Pickard, Bobby Doucette, John Callahan, Jerry Ray, Ric Knowles*, Ken Knowles*, and Kevin Knowles* (*posthumously). Ann was born on August 25, 1943, in Anniston, Alabama, to Clarence Jackson Pruett and Mary Elizabeth (Hefner) Pruett. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Joan Bebe Freeman, and is survived by her brothers, Jack Pruett (Vicki) and Don Pruett (Juanita). She is also survived by her nieces, Lindsay Pruett, Kathy Knowles, and Debi Faulkner, and her nephews, Kreg Knowles, Brandon Knowles, and Brian Knowles. Ann is survived by her beloved husband of 54 years, Roger Carl Knowles; her daughters, Alison Knowles Vann (Dwight) and Kristen Knowles Roley; and her five cherished grandchildren, Ethan Morris, Kaitlyn Morris, Hayley Collins, Jaxson Roley, and Rilyn Roley. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Linda Knowles, Jan Knowles, and Carol Knowles; her brothers-in-law, Don Knowles and Joseph Freeman; and many extended family members and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her brothers-in-law, Bobby Knowles and John Knowles. Ann graduated from Anniston High School in 1961. A lifelong Episcopalian, she remained steadfast in her faith and devoted to her church throughout her life. She was baptized on April 12, 1953, and confirmed on September 29, 1953, at The Church of St. Michael and All Angels in Anniston, Alabama. As a proud military spouse, Ann accompanied her husband during several United States Air Force assignments between 1972 and 1988. After settling in Huntsville in 1989, she became an active member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, where she faithfully served her church community. She supported the annual Lobster Fest through her baking and handmade crafts, assisted with wedding events, and volunteered in numerous Special Children's Christmas Parties. Ann had a passion for collecting antiques and took great pride in decorating her home with treasured finds. She enjoyed reading books focused on romance, country living, and faith. Above all, she cherished time spent with family and loved hosting gatherings for Easter, birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. She also had a special affection for her family's beloved dogs over the many years. Throughout her life, Ann exemplified strong faith, deep love for her family, kindness, and compassion for others. She treasured the lifelong friendships she formed during her school years and throughout her life, maintaining many of those special bonds for decades. Ann will be remembered for her gentle spirit, unwavering devotion to family and faith, generous heart, and the warmth she shared with everyone who knew her. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Ann’s memory could be given to a favorite pet/animal rescue organization such as the Greater Huntsville Humane Society or other charitable organizations such as American Cancer Society, American Red Cross or Dementia Society of America.

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Mary Ann (Pruett) Knowles

August 25, 1943 - July 23, 2026