Ms. Janie Knowles, age 78, of Smithville passed away Monday morning, August 19, 2024, at Ascension St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital.

She was retired from Knowles and Sons Nursery, a member of the Smithville First Baptist Church, on the board of the Justin Potter Library, part of the Foster Care Review Board, and a charter member of the Smithville Women's Club. 

She was born on March 1, 1946 in Liberty to her parents, the late Shelah Steven and Martha Ann Hale Cook. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by brothers, Bratten Hale Cook and Shirley White Cook; sisters, Alma Martin and Tincy Stone; sisters-in-law, JoBill Cook and Jeanine Cook; brother-in-law, Bob Martin; nieces, Gayden Richardson, JoLynn Brown, and Debbie Edwards; nephews, Steve Cook and Bobby Martin; great-nephews, Bobby Pennington and Patrick Ford.

Survivors include her son, Josh (Stacey) Love of Smithville; daughter, Martha Ashley Knowles (Jessica) Barfield of Nashville; five grandchildren, Cooper Love and Cody Love both of Smithville, Gunner Barfield, Monte Barfield and Kai Barfield, all of Nashville; brother-in-law, Joe Stone of Smithville; special lifelong friends, Jimmye Lynn Reeves and Marie Blair; beloved nieces and nephews, Butch (Judy) Cook, Murphy Ford, Lisa Stone, Shelia (David) Davis; Joanna (Rick) Webb, Laura Stone, Joy (Charlie) Parker, Jill (Mark) McSparren, Judy (Rees) Groce, and Bruce Martin;  beloved great nieces and nephews, Megan Cook, Bratten Cook III, Andrew Cook, James Ford, Tucker Ford, Jesse Ford, Lee Davis, Bryan (Alison) Webb, Corey (Zee) Webb, Claire Garrett, Katie Parker, Annie McSparren, Quentin McSparren, Jason Pennington, and Elliott Cook; beloved great-great nieces and nephews, Ari Cook, Bratten Cook IV, Devin Cook, Bexley Cook, Kara Cook, Juniper Webb, Rowan Webb, Summer Garrett, Sienna Atnip, Nolan Perkins, Ryland Perkins, Oliver Taboada, and Savannah Smith; special nieces and nephews, Keri Grimes, Maggie Peak, and Parker Knowles. She was "Aunt Janie" and "Ninnie" to a host of those who loved and cherished her. 

The funeral service was held on Thursday, August 22 at Smithville First Baptist Church with John and Kay Quintero, as well as Bro. Chad Ramsey, officiating. Burial followed in Salem Cemetery. 

Pallbearers were Rick Webb, David Davis, Charlie Parker, Butch Cook, Cody Love, Cooper Love, Collin Price and Bryan Webb. 

Donations can be made to the Angel Tree Project in Janie's memory. 

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, Smithville, was in charge of the arrangements.