Beatrice Ruth Knoles
July 7, 1919 - September 10, 2011

Beatrice Ruth Knoles was born in her grandmother's house in Portland Oregon on July 7, 1919 to Merritt and Sara Belle McCarl. She grew up with her younger brother Dr. Charles Edwin McCarl in Multnomah Oregon before settling in Oakland California.

As a child, Bea thoroughly enjoyed school. She was on the honor roll and played piano and violin in the orchestra. Bea also liked spending time with her friends and enjoyed going to the movies. In the summertime, she loved taking the train to visit her grandparents back in Portland Oregon. After graduating from Oakland High School in June of 1937, Bea attended Stockton Junior College. Shortly after, she transferred to College of the Pacific where she majored in music. It was during these educational years that she met the university president's son, Leslie Gay Knoles. After Les received his degree, they were married by Dr. Tully Cleon Knoles on June 21, 1941. They were married for 54 years before her beloved husband passed away.

One of Bea's greatest ambitions in life was to raise a family. Bea and Les had three children, Rick, Tom, and Linda. Eventually Bea had 7 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. She loved spending time with her family and especially looked forward to Christmas and summer celebrations when the entire family could all be together. Bea enjoyed making these gatherings special by creating many of her delicious recipes.

Bea was a very thoughtful, friendly, and social person. She enjoyed spending her vacations with Les on cruise ships and met many lifelong friends from around the world. Entertaining and cooking were also some of her favorite pastimes. She spent many hours in her kitchen cooking wonderful dishes. In addition to these hobbies, you could always find Bea at the bridge studio, or volunteering her time in the gift shop at Memorial Hospital in Modesto.

Bea was preceded in death by her loving husband Leslie Knoles, and her oldest son Rick Knoles. She is survived by her son Tom Knoles and wife Cecilia, daughter Linda Gianelli and husband Mike, daughter-in-law Sharon Knoles, grandchildren, Kim Lockwood, Jennifer Clark, Matt Knoles, Jennifer Killinger, Jeff Gianelli, Dana Pink, Jon Gianelli, and great grandchildren, Madison, Marin, Morgan, Grace, Jack, Tully, Tessa, Beck, Tristan, Aidan, Joseph, Gianna, Maev, and Jaim.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bea's memory to a charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 24, at 1:00 in the afternoon. ~ Centenary United Methodist Church ~ 1911 Toyon Avenue, Modesto, CA www.cvobituaries.com.