Muriel Gwendolyn Cruse Knotts

Muriel Gwendolyn Cruse Knotts Muriel Gwendolyn Cruse Knotts, 84, of Iola, Texas passed away on November 15, 2015. Muriel was born on September 8, 1931 in Goosecreek, near Baytown, TX to Sarah Agnes Gardner Cruse and John Hugh Cruse. When she was one, her family moved to Lufkin and began farming cotton. Her father also worked shifts at the paper mill. Muriel’s mother died at age 36, when Muriel was 13 and her brother, Dale, was 8. After their mother died, Muriel took care of Dale and her father became a barber so he could spend more time with the children. Muriel described her early childhood as a sweet, happy, simple time that she loved dearly. During her childhood years she experienced a very close-knit family. They did not have much in material things, but were very happy. When Muriel graduated from high school at age 16, she began college at Sam Houston in Huntsville, majoring in Home Economics. She was elected Homecoming Queen her second year in 1949. Muriel and Bill met in 1950 and married in July 1951. Bill was a student at A&M and enlisted in the Air Force that year. They were stationed in Anchorage, Alaska for two years. Their daughter, Susan, was born just before they moved back to Texas and returned to College Station for Bill to finish school. In 1957, they moved to Huntsville where their two sons, William and John, were born. Muriel’s life was full with their growing family. She returned to Sam Houston in the late 1960’s to get her Master’s Degree in Education and in 1971 Muriel started the Little Red Schoolhouse, a private preschool and kindergarten. The school grew quickly and eventually included a first grade. After nine years, in 1980, Muriel sold the Little Red Schoolhouse. She began working with Bill at their ranch in Iola and Muriel described this time as one of contentment. She liked the simple life, even though the work was hard. Her greatest joys in life were her children and grandchildren. There were always tea cakes in the cookie jar, just like she had growing up. Muriel is survived by her beloved husband of 64 years William H. Knotts, Jr.; daughter Susan Knotts Selke and husband Richard; son William H. Knotts III; son John Cruse Knotts and wife Janice; granddaughter Allison Hunt Hamilton and husband David; grandsons Brian John Knotts, Bradley William Knotts and Blake Allan Knotts; great-granddaughter Annabelle Grace Hamilton. She is preceded in death by her mother Sarah Agnes Gardner Cruse; father John Hugh Cruse; brother Dale Clark Cruse; grandson Clay Warren Hunt; great-granddaughter Barbara Grace Hamilton. The family would like to thank Lynn and Dennis Longmire and their staff at the Angel Kissed House for their loving care. We also thank Thee Hospice for their care and compassion. Memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 1016 N. Sam Houston Avenue, Huntsville, Texas 77340. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at First United Methodist Church in Huntsville, Texas. Interment will follow the service at Adickes Addition of Oakwood Cemetery in Huntsville, Texas. All are invited to visit with the family at a reception following the interment at the First United Methodist Church. Full obituary may be viewed and memorial condolences made to the family at www.shmfh.com.

Muriel Gwendolyn Cruse Knotts

September 8, 1931 - November 15, 2015