Aug. 21, 1935 – Aug. 9, 2012

NATCHEZ — Services for James Lewis “Buddy” Knowles, 76, of Natchez, who died Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012, at Methodist Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Pilgrim Baptist Church with the Rev. Melvin White officiating.

Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Natchez National Cemetery under the direction of Robert D. Mackel and Sons Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Mr. Knowles was born Aug. 21, 1935, in Natchez. He was a graduate of Sadie V. Thompson High School and served in the U.S. Navy. He was also a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church.

Mr. Knowles was employed by Johns Manville, Diamond International, the Natchez Convention Center and Amoco Ethyl Corporation where he retired.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Leontine Smoot Knowles; one son, Michael Oshay McKnight; and one brother, Willie Jammerson Knowles.

Survivors include a caring daughter, Olivia Knowles Johnson and husband, Warren, of Memphis; one son, Gregory Green of Bessemer, Ala.; one sister, Alfreda Knowles Butler and husband, Joseph, of Gary, Ind.; one brother, Daniel Knowles Jr.; one daughter-in-law, Ella D. Lyles; one sister-in-law, Arma J. Knowles, all of Natchez; six grandchildren, Dr. Paula Green of Natchez, Camilla Johnson, Alyssa Johnson, Warren Johnson Jr. and Ernest Johnson, all of Memphis, and Tyson McKnight of Atlanta; one great-grandson, Shederick Green of Natchez; four special cousins, Melissa Antley of Philadelphia, Pa., Annie Hoskins of Natchez, Carrie Smith of Chicago and Ardell Willis Memphis; and a number of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.