EDITH KNOWLES FUNERAL PROGRAM edited

Pallbearers

Jameson Goodwin • Sunil James Jahvene Charles • Zabdie Smith Tarje Samuel • Davier Joseph

Ushers Grandchildren

Acknowledgments The family of the late Edith Rubena Knowles wishes to extend our sincere appreciation for the love, kindness, phone calls, visits, thoughts, and prayers expressed during this time of bereavement.

Thank you all for sharing this celebration of life of our beloved mother, wife, sister, grandmother, aunt, great-grandmother, friend and child of God. May God bless and keep you all.

Lovingly submitted, Knowles Family

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ENTRUSTED TO

Straffies Funeral Home Ltd Popehead Street St. John’s, Antigua

EDITH RUBENA KNOWLES December 1, 1932 - July 17, 2025 Thursday, August 14, 2025 Time 10:00 AM Venue: Bible Speaks SDA Church Creekside, Valley Road St. Mary’s Antigua

Order of Service TRIBUTES Customs and Excise Division Taxi Association John Hughes SDA Church

How Cheering is the Christian’s Hope 1) How cheering is the Christian's hope, While toiling here below! It bouys us up while this passing through This wilderness of woe, It bouys us up while passing throught his wilderness of woe.

2) It points us to a land of rest Where saints with Christ will reign; Where we shall meet the loved of earth, And never part again.

3) Fly, lingering moments, fly, O, fly, Dear Savior, quickly come! We long to see Thee as Thou art, And reach that blissful home.

Instrumental by Alfranique Joseph

SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING Processional .............................................................................Pastor Orville Joseph Welcome............................................................................... Pastor Winston Joseph Opening Hymn ........................................How Cheering is the Christian’s Hope #440 Pastor Holford Brown TRIBUTES • Union Conference • South Leeward Conference (SLC) • SLC Pastors

We Have this Hope 1) We have this hope that burns within our hearts, Hope in the coming of the Lord.

We have this faith that Christ alone imparts, Faith in the promise of His Word.

We believe the time is here, When the nations far and near Shall awake, and shout, and sing Hallelujah! Christ is King! We have this hope that burns within our hearts, Hope in the coming of the Lord.

2) We are united in Jesus Christ our Lord. We are united in His love. Love for the waiting people of the world. People who need our Savior’s love. Soon the heavn'ns will open wide, Christ will come to claim His bride. All the universe will sing Hallelujah! Christ is King! We have this hope, this faith, and God's great love, We are united in Christ.

1st Scripture Reading ............................................... Proverbs 3:1-7, Grandchildren John 14: 1-3, Great-grandchildren Special Music ..................................................................................Knowles Family Eulogy....................................................Stennette and Rachael Knowles (children)

GRAVESIDE HYMNS

2nd ScriptureReading.............................................................. Psalm 34:1-9, 15-19, Lyris Knowles-Frederick (daughter)

I Shall See the King #426

Special Music ................................................................................... Grandchildren

The Glory Song #435

Sermonette ................................................................................Dr. Wayne Knowles

Gleams of the Golden Morning #205

Benediction ............................................................................. Dr. Andrew Gardner

Shall We Gather at the River #432

Recessional .......................................................................... We Have this Hope #214 Dr. Andrew Gardner

There’ll be no Dark Valley #208

INTERMENT Officiating Ministers

It May Be at Morn #207

Graveside Hymns I Shall See the King 1) I shall see the King Where the angels sing, I shall see the King some day, In the better land, On the golden strand And with Him shall ever stay.

REFRAIN: In His glory, I shall see the King, And forever endless praises sing; ‘Twas on Calvary Jesus died for me; I shall see the King some day.

2) In the land of song, In the glory throng, Where there never comes a night, With my Lord once slain I shall ever reign n the glory land of light.

3) I shall see the King, All my tributes bring, And shall look upon His face; Then my song shall be How He ransomed me And has kept me by His grace.

The Glory Song 1) When all my labors and trials are o'er, And I am safe on that beautiful shore, Just to be near the dear Lord I adore, Will through the ages be glory for me.

REFRAIN: When all my labors and trials are o'er, And I am safe on that beautiful shore, Just to be near the dear Lord I adore, Will through the ages be glory for me.

2) When, by the gift of His infinite grace, I am accorded in heaven a place, Just to be there and to look on His face, Will through the ages be glory for me.

3) Friends will be there I have loved long ago; Joy like a river around me will flow, Yet, just a smile from my Savior, I know, Will through the ages be glory for me.

Gleams of the Golden Morning

1) The golden morning is fast approaching; Jesus soon will come To take His faithful and happy children To their promised home.

REFRAIN: O, we see the gleams of the golden morning Piercing through this night of gloom! O, we see the gleams of the golden morning That will burst the tomb.

2) The gospel summons will soon be carried To the nations round; The Bridegroom then will cease to tarry And the trumpet sound.

3) Attended by all the shining angels, Down the flaming sky The Judge will come, and will take His people Where they will not die.

4) There those loved ones who have long been parted, Will all meet that day; The tears of those who are broken-hearted Will be wiped away.

Shall We Gather at the River

1) Shall we gather at the river Where bright angel feet have trod, With its crystal tide forever Flowing by the throne of God? REFRAIN: Yes, we'll gather at the river, The beautiful, the beautiful river; Gather with the saints at the river That flows by the throne of God. 2) On the margin of the river, Washing up its silver spray We will walk and worship ever, All the happy golden day.

3) Ere we reach the shining river, Lay we every burden down; Grace our spirits will deliver, And provide a robe and crown.

4) Soon we'll reach the shining river, Soon our pilgrimage will cease, Soon our happy hearts will quiver With the melody of peace.

There’ll Be No Dark Valley

1) There'll be no dark valley when Jesus comes, There'll be no dark valley when Jesus comes; There'll be no dark valley when Jesus comes To gather His loved ones home.

REFRAIN: To gather His loved ones home, To gather His loved ones home; There'll be no dark valley when Jesus comes To gather His loved ones home.

2) There'll be no more sorrow when Jesus comes, There'll be no more sorrow when Jesus comes; But a glorious morrow when Jesus comes To gather His loved ones home.

3) There'll be songs of greeting when Jesus comes, There'll be songs of greeting when Jesus comes; And a joyful meeting when Jesus comes To gather His loved one’s home.

It May Be At Morn

1) It may be at morn, when the day is awaking, When sunlight through darkness and shadow is breaking, That Jesus will come in the fullness of glory To receive from the world His own.

REFRAIN: O Lord Jesus, how long, how long Ere we shout the glad song? Christ returneth, Hallelujah! hallelujah! Amen, Hallelujah! Amen.

2) It may be at midday, it may be at twilight, It may be, perchance, that the blackness of midnight Will burst into light in the blaze of His glory, When Jesus receives His own.

3) O joy! O delight! should we go without dying, No sickness, no sadness, no dread, and no crying, Caught up through the clouds with our Lord into glory, When Jesus receives His own.

Tributes Tribute to Our Mother Today we honour and celebrate the life of our beloved mother-a woman of grace, strength and unwavering love. Though she is no longer with us, her presence lives on in every heart she touched and in every life she made better.

Our mother’s life was a true example of selflessness. She taught us the value of kindness, the power of perseverance, and the beauty of unconditional love.

Whether through her gentle words of wisdom or the way she carried herself with dignity, she shaped us into who we are today. She was just not a mother but also a friend, a guide, and a source of endless comfort. Her laughter had the power to brighten the darkest days, and her faith in us gave us the courage to face life’s challenges.

Though her passing leaves an irreplaceable void, we choose to remember her not with sorrow but with gratitude. We are thankful for every moment, every lesson, and every memory. She may have left this world, but her spirit remains alive- in the values she instilled in us and in the love that will never fade.

Rest in peace, Mom. Rest easy! You will always be our heart and our hero. See you in the “Great Beyond”!

Lyris Knowles-Frederick & Jemmy Knowles-Samuel (daughters)

Mom was a Godly person. She was also a jovial person, I can remember those days when I used to sit at her feet and listen to old-time stories, and we would have an enjoyable time I remember those days when we had to learn designated chapters from the Bible. She was a woman of prayer, a woman of faith.

One who sang and spoke about her God. I remember family worship. What a choir we were in the mornings and on Friday evenings.

Every time we came to visit her. One thing she always says to us is, “Give your life to the Lord he is coming soon.”

I will always remember this matriarch, this Helper, one who is always concerned about her children and grandchildren’s salvation.

I will miss my mom, but I hope to see her soon in that great getting up morning.

Sleep on mom, take your rest until the life giver comes to take you to that vacation home, where there will be no more dying, no more crying, no more pain. NO MORE!!

Jeannette Charles (daughter)

Tribute to Mama Thank God for a mother like mine whose love is so pure and divine. She taught me to love the Savior above. Thank God for a mother like mine. Mom was a virtuous woman. Peaceful, loving, caring & God-fearing woman. She also had a great sense of humor. Mom, you taught me many values and lessons that will forever linger in my heart. Thankyou mama. You're everything to me. Sleep on woman of God my dear precious mama.

Sybil Smith (daughter) Tribute to Mamasita Edith, Mamasita, as I always called my dear mother was a special woman. Our special bond began when she was pregnant with me and defied all the expectations of the doctors until I was born a healthy baby. She reported that one doctor told her she was flying in God’s face. She could not complete a conversation with anyone without talking about God and his goodness, quoting scripture verses she had memorized or asking, “What did God do to you?”. Her love of God was lived and emanated in everything she did and thought she had. Our morning devotions were filled with singing, and she taught us all to praise God through songs and to memorize his words to we could repeat them in any situation we encountered during the day. My mother was a peace maker and always admonished us to “turn the other cheek”. Mom played the piano and sang songs of praise all the time. Our home was centered on God. Sabbath lunch was something we looked forward to as children, but that special meal prepared on Fridays, as children, we were not sure we would eat on Sabbath because visitors to church were welcomed at our lunch table and if the “loaves and fishes” prepared for the family was not enough for the family and visitors, mom fed the guests the special meal and we had to eat whatever else was in the house – most often than not it was bread. Momma you thought us all to put others above ourselves and God first always. I will miss our weekly talks. Sleep in peace until we meet again in the great resurrection.

Dever Knowles (son) Tributes by Grand-Children Known to many as Ms. Knowles, but to us grandchildren, she was Grandmoddah. Growing up and spending every school break with her and my cousins was not for the weak. She woke us up routinely and early in the mornings for devotions—before sunrise—when our energy levels were at their lowest. Then, she revived us with her infamous chocolate tea and big breakfasts. After that, we surely rocked her blood pressure as we played down by the gut or under the big mango tree behind Uncle B.G.’s house, getting into all kinds of mischief.

Being punished by having to sit on the veranda was never really a punishment.

It was fun to watch the young men from the village try to briskly walk past the

house, peeking to see if she was sitting in the corner of the gallery or in the living room by the window. She would always ask: “How you do?” “When last have you been to church?” “What has the Lord done to you?”

always welcome them with warm conversation. I deeply miss hearing her voice and the simply chats we shared to keep her updated with our lives.

And trust me, they better have had a good answer—or the lecturing would begin and end with, “Give your heart to the Lord.”

Grandma, you are truly missed. Sleep peacefully until we meet again. With all our love.

Your granddaughter, great-grandchildren and grandson-in-law, Chelle, Albert, Ashaun and Amarle

At the end of the day, I sincerely believe she found joy in provoking Grandfather, who would just sit quietly and smile.

Even when she became bedridden, her outspoken ways never left her. But she always ended each visit with those same words: “Give your heart to the Lord.”

Though her absence leaves a space that can never be filled, we carry her lessons with us—her strength in the way we face challenges, and her love in the way we care for our families.

Today, we do not say goodbye. Instead, we say thank you—for every story, every smile, every prayer, and every sacrifice. She may be gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.

Love always, Bernalyn and Sariah (grand daughter & great granddaughter)

Grandma was tough, funny, and full of love. She made us laugh even on the worst days. We’ll miss her deeply, but her spirit will always live in us. Rest easy, Grandma Kaydie and T’Nyah (grand-daughter & great-grand daughter) My grandmother has always been an instrumental part of my upbringing. She was someone who you could always look up to - strong in faith, rich in wisdom, and deeply rooted in the word of God. No one knew more scripture verses than she did. When Thirteenth Sabbath came around, I would look forward to her favorite mantra: “Call Him up and tell Him what you want.” Then, with incredible grace, she would recite all 13 memory verses from heart. Yes, she was that good! I would proudly watch from the congregation, cheering her on with admiration.

She was our rock – a steady, spiritual anchor who constantly reminded us to give our hearts to the Lord because Jesus is coming soon.

In her final days, I had the blessing of being by her side, helping to care for her alongside my mother. I was always eager to hear her respond when I’d call out, “Grandma, you good?” and she’d softly reply, “I’m OK.” Even then, she continued to encourage us to pray for her – just as she faithfully prayed for us.

I’m so grateful that she was part of my children’s and husband’s lives. They looked forward to seeing her each morning and afternoon, and she would

My grandmother loves to sing. During the day at random times, you’ll hear her voice as she sings old hymns. Whenever she cooks, it always amazes me how the meals are consistent without using measurements. Now, as I grew older and left the village, whenever I visited, she always encouraged me to stay strong in the faith and reminded me at the end that Jesus is coming soon. Grandma Sleep on and take your rest until Jesus come to call his children home to that great family reunion.

Jahvene Charles (grandson) I have many fond memories of my grandmother. One of the most memorable ones happened in the past year! When I came down to Antigua during my birthday, I remember talking to her in the morning, telling her it was my birthday. I guess she had not realized what I had told her because later in the day, she pinched me, telling me I never told her! My grandmother cared for my sister and me in America! She would be on video chat every Saturday asking for us! Even though she would ask/tell us the same things every time we talked to her, it still meant everything to me. I know now that you are resting peacefully. I love you forever and always!

Devansya Knowles (grand daughter)

Our grandmother was a strong, resilient woman with a warm heart. She didn’t take nonsense from anyone, but always makes you feel loved. She faced life with courage and her sense of humor. We’ll always remember her words to us every time we saw her: “Always keep your eyes on the Lord!” We didn’t forget them then, and we won’t forget them now. Grandmother left a mark on everyone who knew her, and we will always carry her with use in our hearts.

Rest in peace, Grandmother.

With love, Rhonique and Rhesa (granddaughters)