Pamela Jane (Hubbard) Knowles, 72, was born on October 1, 1953, in Eureka, Kansas, and passed away peacefully on August 9, 2026, at her home in Yates Center, Kansas. She was formerly of Warsaw, Missouri. She married Larry Knowles on May 23, 1979.
They began their life together in Odessa, Missouri, later lived in Blue Springs, Missouri, and eventually made their home together in Warsaw, Missouri. They shared many years of marriage and a life together until Larry's passing. She graduated from Yates Center High School in 1971. After high school, she continued her education, pursuing a career in nursing at Newman Hospital School of Nursing. She graduated in 1976 and became a Registered Nurse, beginning a career centered around caring for others.
She worked at several hospitals throughout the Kansas City area before eventually joining Compass Health in Warsaw, Missouri.
There, she spent 25 years working in mental health and became a nursing supervisor, overseeing and supporting nurses across multiple counties throughout Missouri. She eventually retired from her nursing career due to her health and the health of her husband, Larry.
While nursing was an important part of her life, caring for people was simply who she was. In her earlier years, she loved cooking and taking care of others. She had one of the biggest hearts and truly never met a stranger. Friends and family often brought people into her home whom she had never met, and she welcomed them as though they had always been part of the family.
No one ever left her home hungry. She did not have biological children of her own, but her stepchildren were her children, and she loved them as her own. She was also much more than an aunt to many who loved her. To some, she became like another mother, offering love, guidance, comfort, and a place where they always felt welcome.
After Larry's passing, she eventually returned to her hometown of Yates Center, Kansas, where she spent the final part of her life.
She loved being back in her hometown, reconnecting with old friends, making many new acquaintances, and spending precious time with her Kansas family. Her caregivers became some of her closest friends, and she loved them very much. Being home surrounded by familiar faces, family, friends, and new friends brought her comfort and happiness during the final chapter of her life. She is survived by her stepchildren, Larry Knowles Jr., Mark Burnup, Chris Burnup, and Larissa Evans; her brother, Frank Hubbard and his wife, Paula; brother-in-law, Ollie Knowles; sisters-in-law, Pam Blair and Gloria Hubbard; 11 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces, nephews, family members, friends, and loved ones.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd Hubbard and Mildred (Brandon) Hubbard; her husband, Larry Knowles; her sister, Floie Sauder; her brothers, Allen Hubbard and Mike Hubbard; her stepson, Brian Knowles; and her grandson, Bo Knowles. Pamela leaves behind a legacy of compassion, generosity, and unconditional love. She had a way of making people feel at home, whether they had known her for a lifetime or had just walked through her door for the first time. She cared deeply, gave generously, fed everyone who came through her home, and loved her family fiercely. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Memorial services will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Campbell Funeral Home in Yates Center. Inurnment will follow at Yates Center Cemetery.
