Mother Odesser Knuckles

Racine – Mother Odesser Knuckles; age 97; passed away peacefully in her sleep and went to see almighty Jesus – face to face- on Sunday, March 1, 2015.

Odesser was born in Trail Lake, Mississippi on November 27, 1917 to the late Jeff and Ora (nee: Thomas) Burns. On December 20, 1936 in Twist, Arkansas she was united in marriage with the love of her life, Joseph Clyde Knuckles, Sr. To this union of love, 17 children were born.

Mother professed a hope in Christ at the age of nine and was baptized at Sunrise Baptist Church in Turrell, Arkansas. Her profound Christian faith was enriched at Rock of Ages Missionary Baptist Church in Tyronza, Arkansas. When the family moved to Racine in 1967, they became faithful members of Second Missionary Baptist Church – where Odesser served on the Mother’s Board, Mission Board, Nurses Guild, and sang in the Senior choir. Up until Sunday, she was the eldest member of the church. Many years ago, after being diagnosed with a tumor on her chest, Mother slept with a prayer cloth placed over the area in concern….which held the tumor at bay.

Although raising 17 children kept her extremely busy, Mother also worked as a dietary technician at St. Mary’s Hospital and Southern Colony. Some of her interests included fishing, sewing, canning, and she also enjoyed driving and going on road trips. Mother was happiest when she was surrounded by her family.

Surviving are her children, Sammy (Emma) Smith of Oxford, MS, Rev. Tommie Knuckles of Racine, WI, Jonnie B. Knuckles of Oakland, CA, Louise Smith of Racine, WI, Ora Gray of Racine, WI, Joseph (Hattie) Knuckles of Racine, WI, Carey (Cheryl) Knuckles of Evansville, IN, Sampson Knuckles of Racine, WI, Earl (Sarita) Knuckles of Racine, WI, Ruby (Louis) Buckingham of Antioch, CA, Classie West of Racine, WI, Dorothy (Willie) Burnett of Aniston, AL, Altoria (Charles) Edwards of Racine, WI, Jeff Knuckles of Racine, WI, Odesser (Greg) Maxie of Vallejo, CA and Harvey Knuckles of Quimper, France; a special daughter, Willie B. Knuckles of Racine, WI; 47 grandchildren; 83 great-grandchildren; 36 great-great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-great-grandchild; brothers, Rev. Alfred (Fannie) Burns of Elgin, IL, Dan Burns of Racine, WI and Nelson Burns of Memphis, TN; sister, Edna (Aaron) Baker of San Leandro, CA; sister-in-law, Georgia Burns of Memphis, TN; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and friends.

In addition to her parents, Mother Knuckles was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph (passed away on February 9, 2000); beloved daughter, Emma Knuckles; grandsons, Michael, Robert & L.C. Knuckles; daughters-in-law, Elizabeth Smith, Jacqueline Knuckles and Fabianne Knuckles; sons-in-law, Nathaniel Smith, James Gray and Bill West, Sr.; brother, Carey Burns; sisters, Alma Farrow, Altoria Naylor, Dorothy Bowman and Julia Ellis; sisters-in-law, Mae Jessie Burns, Margaret Burns and Minnette Burns; brother-in-law, Calvin Naylor.

A Homegoing Celebration will be held on Monday, March 9, 2015 at 11:00 am at Second Missionary Baptist Church, 1250 Lathrop Ave. Interment will follow in West Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Sunday from 4:00 – 6:00 pm and in the church on Monday from 9:00 – 11:00 am.