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The Rev. Millard Byrd Knowles, 82, a retired Elder, died Dec. 15, 2011, at Oakcrest Retirement Village. The Rev. Victor Harner officiated at a funeral service at Perry Hall UMC Dec. 17, the church where Knowles was serving as pastor of visitation.

Knowles was born Nov. 17, 1929, in Prince George’s County and attended Baltimore City College (High School), Western Maryland College, and Oberlin Graduate School of Theology. He received a D. Min from United Theological Seminary.

Most of Knowles’ 60-year ministerial career was spent in the West Ohio Conference. He was retired when he came to Baltimore-Washington Conference in 1992, to serve as part time pastor at Old Otterbein UMC in Baltimore. He stayed for 14 years until retiring again in 2006. In 2008, he became Pastor of Visitation/Pastor Emeritus at Perry Hall UMC.

He is remembered as a long time Director of the Conference Historical Society.

"Millard was a man of great wisdom and could tell a Bible story better than anyone else. When he spoke you felt as if you were right there with the people of the Bible!" said the Rev. Jeffrey Paulson, his "unofficial adopted son."

Knowles, whose ministerial career began in 1949, and E. Carolyn Peed were married in 1950 and had three children. She died in 2008.

Survivors include his daughters Robin Knowles Wallace from Ohio, Elizabeth Anne Phipps from Maine and son Jonathan M. Knowles from Vermont, and four grandchildren.

Condolences may be sent to Robin Knowles Wallace, 2170 Willowick Square, Columbus, Ohio 43229.

Memorial gifts may be made to Perry Hall UMC, 9515 Belair Road, Baltimore, MD 21236-1507