Annie Ruth Knowlton

Annie Ruth Schulze Knowlton

Annie Ruth passed away on the morning of Friday, April 15, 2022, at her home in Houston, Texas, that she shared with Ruth Helene Knowlton and Dorothy May Lovell.

To quote her grand daughter Sara Lovell, “Our dear Grammie Ruth made her way to heaven this morning, on Good Friday.  She loved the New England Patriots, had a massive sweet tooth, loved to laugh and could still solve Wheel of Fortune puzzles faster than any of us.”

To quote her grandson, Steve Knowlton, “My dear, beautiful, caring and loving Grandma has moved on from this world to be with her husband and the rest of her family that has gone before her.

She was born in Roundtop, Texas, to Charles and Ida Schulze, the middle child of 9 children, 5 girls and 4 boys.  They later moved to Alvin, Texas, where she graduated from Santa Fe High School where she was the valedictorian of the class of 1938.  She had many interests while in school, from sports to politics, and dance to singing.

She also wrote in the Galveston newspaper for her school.  Besides winning scholastic honors she was acclaimed as the outstanding student in the school by her classmates.  She was awarded a scholarship to Southwestern University but was unable to go because she had to get a job to help support her family.  She worked in Galveston for a doctor and after that, she would go to night school.

On weekends she would go home to Algoa to be with her family.  One week-end, her brother Fritz brought home a tall, good looking fellow soldier with a thick Boston accent.  Ross and Ruth, it was love at first sight.  The courtship rushed forward at a World War II pace.  After Ross went back to his base they continued corresponding.  Finally, Ross sent her a train ticket and off she went to his base and they married.  Shortly thereafter, Ross received orders to ship out to Europe.  It would not be possible for Ruth to go back home, so Ross called his mom and Ruth was on a train to Boston.  She enjoyed a loving and fun life with her new in-laws till Ross came home.

After Ross passed away, she lived first with her daughter Bette and shared half-year stays before returning to the Houston area full-time, around 9 years ago.  She developed many friendships with her gentle and loving ways.  She was appreciative of everything you would do for her.

Annie Ruth is survived by 3 of her 4 children:  Ruth Helene Knowlton of Houston, TX, Bette Ann LeBlanc of Brimfield, MA, and Edgar Champlin Knowlton III of Derry, NH.  She is survived by 2 sisters, Gladys McKissick of Houston, and Charlotte Koch of San Antonio.  She is preceded in death by her husband Roscoe Arno Knowlton, son Roscoe Arno Knowlton Jr.,  2 sisters and 4 brothers: Isabella, Lula Mae, Henry, Clinton, Robert, and Albert.  She is survived by her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and the many friends that loved her.

We would like to thank Willowbrook Methodist Hospital for their great care and also Heart-to-Heart hospice after she came home.  We would also like to thank the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Relief Society for all their help and preparations.  We would like to thank our friends and neighbors for their caring and support, especially Debbie Lewis for her active support in our most difficult times.

The funeral service will be held Saturday April 23 at 11:00 AM at the LDS church at 10055 West Road, Houston, TX 77064.  Prior to the service, there will be a viewing from 10:00 AM until 11:00.

Internment will be at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Lynn, Massachusetts.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Annie Ruth Knowlton, please visit our floral store.