Stella Knuckles

SIKESTON -- Stella Knuckles, 83, died April 26, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

Born Nov. 10, 1919, in Bugscuffle, Okla., daughter of the late Wylie and Minnie Gamble Downs, she was a member of the Christian Tabernacle in Sikeston.

On Aug. 31, 1938, at Charter Oak, she married Herschel Knuckles who preceded her in death on Jan. 28, 1987.

Survivors include: three sons, Lloyd Knuckles and Rick Knuckles of Sikeston and Ronnie Knuckles of Dexter; three daughters, Arlene Kirby of Dexter, Carolyn Moore of Sikeston and Donna Mallott of Kennett; two brothers, Clifford Downs of St. Louis and Eugene Knuckles of Mt. Enterprise, Texas; one sister, Birdie Cates of Kennett; and 18 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by one son, Arcel Knuckles, two brothers and three sisters.

Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston, where services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday. The Rev. E.J. McDougal, pastor of Christian Tabernacle and the Rev. LeRoy Young, will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Sikeston Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Mark Moore, Darrin Knuckles, Lannie Moore, Billy Arnold, Brian Knuckles and Ryan Knuckles.