CHERYL ANN KNOWLTON

Cheryl Ann Knowlton, of Atlanta, passed away July 1, 2020, surrounded by Jim, her husband of 54 years, and her daughter, Shannon, after years of battling kidney disease.

Cheryl grew up in Clarkston, Michigan, where she graduated from high school in 1965 and met the love of her life the following year. Jim and Cheryl were married Aug. 13,1966. Cheryl patiently waited for Jim to return home from Vietnam so they could get started on their big adventure called life. Cheryl gave birth to their only child, Shannon, in September 1970. She was the joy that kept on giving. Cheryl went on to get her bachelor’s degree in nursing and was an RN for several years until she moved to Atlanta, Michigan.

Cheryl worked for the local credit union until she joined the State of Michigan as a social worker and eventually retired in 2006. Cheryl’s real career was as a professional gambler as it stated on her tax forms. Cheryl was known as being very lucky and very skilled in gambling. Cheryl loved her trips to Vegas and her winters in Lake Havasu with husband Jim. Even while in bad health, Cheryl and Jim would still make her casino trips to Turtle Creek. She was a real celebrity there and she believed when she won, everyone won, even down to the gals in the bathroom or the gentlemen cleaning the casino. Cheryl was known for all her good deeds. Everywhere she went she helped so many along the way. Cheryl loved QVC and JTV. She had the UPS guy arriving everyday. She just loved shopping. Cheryl also loved her flowers and her decorations around the yard of the house. She took great pride in her house and her appearance. In her last few years, many of you may not have seen much of Cheryl. It wasn’t that she didn’t care for you, but that she was very sick and had a hard time facing people when she didn’t look her best.

To the end, Cheryl believed that you were put here to help others and one of her biggest beliefs was to give life after you are gone. All our family and friends knew this as she checked your license to make sure you were a donor. Cheryl was supposed to receive her daughter’s kidney, but that never came to be due to COVID-19 and her ill health at the end. Instead, in her last minutes of life, Cheryl gave sight to someone who was blind, gave skin to a burn victim, and gave parts of her heart so someone could continue being a father or mother. Cheryl’s purpose was to help others and save as many as she could. Cheryl will be missed every day, as she was a true superhero. There will be no one that can fill her shoes but we can all get out, donate, and give life. Carry on that legacy for Cheryl and donate. Until we meet again, we love you so much! Please watch over Dad.

Cheryl was preceded in death by her mother, Georgia Creger, her father, John Burke, her stepfather, Al Creger, her brother, Tom Burke, her sister, Patty Cumper, and her buddies Jake and Izzy. Cheryl is survived by her husband, Jim Knowlton, of Atlanta, Michigan, her daughter and son-in-law, Shannon (Knowlton) and Joseph Giles of Alpena, Michigan, sister-in-law Pamela Burke, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, nephew and niece, Jeremy and Terri Burke, of Clarkston, Michigan, nephew Justin Cumper and niece Felicia Cumper of Hawks, Michigan, nephew Shayn Cumper and niece Kayla Cumper of Atlanta Michigan, great-nephews Emmit and Easton Cumper, of Atlanta, Michigan, great-nieces, Emily Burke, of Clarkston, Michigan, Amelia and new Baby Cumper, of Hawks, Michigan, special friend, Scott Gammey, of Atlanta, Michigan, and her favorite grand-dog, Norman Bates Giles.

In lieu of flowers please give to The Gift of Life, Gift of Life Michigan, 3861 Research Park Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48108, Att. Gift of Life program in memory of Cheryl Knowlton, C/O Jim Knowlton, 12620 Stevens St., Atlanta, Michigan, 49707, or any cards can be sent to Jim Knowlton, 12620 Stevens St., Atlanta, Michigan, 49707

A get-together at a later date will take place at the family home in Atlanta.

All arrangements made by Green Funeral Home in Atlanta, special thanks to Todd Kendrick.