Lula E. (Scott) Knowles was born in Worthington, Minn., on February 29, 1918 to Archie and Hannah (Lane) Scott. She was the youngest of 12 children, 11 of which grew to adulthood. Growing up she was active in church and school music programs, taught typing as a senior in high school and worked part time in the Ben Franklin store.
After high school graduation, she and her best friend, Gertrude Kooy, went to Bible College in Minneapolis, Minn., where they both met their future husbands. After a year, they were asked to lead the music for the prominent evangelist, Lee Carter Maynard.
They toured all over the Midwest for about a year and then returned home to marry their college sweethearts (Edwin C. Knowles and Ken Hanson) in a double wedding. Lula was then a wife to a young future preacher and missionary.
They eventually settled in Grand Junction, Colo., where Edwin taught at Intermountain Bible College and was Chaplain at the VA Hospital. Lula sang at the local funeral home, taught music lessons and, of course, was a great mother and supportive wife.
In 1956 David Sanders, missionary to Brazil, came home on furlough and stayed with Ed and Lula to visit and ask them to come to Brazil to work. After much prayer and support from many churches, they sold their home and peach orchard in Palisade, Colo., packed up a few belongings along with John and Kathleen and headed to Brazil.
They served in Goiania, Goiaz, Brazil from 1957-1968. Lula was willing to help in any area needed. She taught music, led music in various local churches, and rescued and cared for abandoned and sick babies. She would find adoptive families for each one. Although there was one special baby boy, they decided to adopt and named him Charles Andrew Knowles.
After serving in Brazil for 11 years, Edwin and Lula spent a year in Cochabamba, Bolivia before heading to El Paso, Texas, to teach in Collegio, Biblico across the border in Mexico.
Lula was always a willing servant and gracious hostess, welcoming traveling missionaries and others for meals. She had many friends wherever she served.
Lula was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Edwin, in 1991.
She is survived by her three children, John Phillip Knowles, Charles Andrew Knowles, Kathleen and husband, Alan Johnson; three grandchildren, Jason, Alex, Karleen; and six great-grandchildren, Kyle, Caleb, Tommy, Nicole, Joe and Jack.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 27, 2020 with visitation and slide presentation from 4 to 4:30 p.m., followed by service at Clay County Christian Church, 1200 B. Hwy., Liberty, MO 64068.
Our Sincere Condolences
Sorry for your loss. Thanks for having that great party when Lula turned 100. Bless you for your dedication to your mom. I hope you and your family are healthy.
Valerie Sprenger
