Cheryl 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, MI where she graduated from high school in 1965 and met the love of her life the following year.  Jim and Cheryl were married August 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 MI.

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 everyday 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 step-father, 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 and Joseph Giles of Alpena, MI, sister-in-law, Pamela Burke of Port St. Lucie, FL; nephew and niece, Jeremy and Terri Burke of Clarkston, MI, nephew Justin Cumper and niece Felicia Cumper of Hawks, MI, nephew Shayn Cumper and niece Kayla Cumper of Atlanta MI., great nephews Emmit and Easton Cumper of Atlanta, MI, great nieces, Emily Burke of Clarkston, MI, Amelia and new Baby Cumper of Hawks, MI., special friend Scott Gammey of Atlanta, MI 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 Dr, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108

Att. Gift of life program in memory of Cheryl Knowlton C/O Jim Knowlton 12620 Stevens street Atlanta Mi 49707

or Any cards can be sent to Jim Knowlton 12620 Stevens Street Atlanta Mi 49707

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