Mr. Robert (Bobby) Lee Knowles, Sr., age 84 of Wallace, NC, died on August 20, 2016 at his residence. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Padgett Funeral Home in Wallace, NC conducted by Dr. William C. Goodnight. Burial will be at Rockfish Memorial Cemetery in Wallace, NC. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Bobby is survived by his wife, Phoebe Fussell Knowles of the home, four sons, Robert L. Knowles, Jr. and wife Diane of Wallace, NC, Gregory A. Knowles and wife Rose of Teachey, NC, Darryl G. Knowles and wife Karen of Altus, OK and Michael Simmons and wife Kim of Kempner, TX, his daughter, Ivy Thornton and husband Ricky of Wendell, NC, ten grandchildren, Ashton Kornegay and husband Travis of Greenville, NC, Gregory Knowles, II of Greenville, NC, HaLee Knowles of Wallace, NC, Nova Knowles and Ravin Knowles of Altus, OK, Yvonne Bouldin and husband Jake of Ft. Worth, TX, Karlie Simmons of Kempner, TX, Nicole Wood and husband Seth of Wallace, NC, Carmen Howard of Wallace, NC and Zachary Howard of Wilmington, NC, three great grandchildren, Kylee Bouldin and Ashlynn Bouldin of Ft. Worth, TX and Alliyah Lloyd of Wallace, NC, his sister, Mary Roberts of Hampstead, NC and two brothers, William (Billy) Knowles and wife Hazel of Lubbock, TX and Leslie Knowles of Teachey, NC, and two nieces and one nephew.

He was born on July 21, 1932 in Duplin County to the late Willie Henry Knowles and Mary Arlene Robinson Knowles. He is preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Tylon Roberts, his nephew, Leslie "Sam" Knowles and his sisters, Betty Arlene Knowles and Nellie Bateman.

Bobby served his country honorably for 4 years in the US Navy, serving during the Korean War. He loved his God, family, church family and friends. He was a lifelong member of Corinth Baptist Church. He loved bulldogs, racing and working with his tools. He always grew a garden to share with his friends. He loved going to Holland Shelter to eat shrimp and Outback to eat ribs. He was a hard worker during his life, from farming, delivering milk, JP Stevens and GE Electric, where he spent over 25 years.

Casket Bearers will be Frankie English, Johnny Moore, Travis Kornegay, Mike Williams, Robert Knowles and Gregory Knowles.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Bobby's memory to Lower Cape Fear Hospice 1414 Physician's Drive Wilmington, NC 28401.

To sign the guest book, go to www.padgettfuneralhome.com.

A service of Padgett Funeral and Cremation Services , Wallace.