Richard Henry Knowles

Richard Henry Knowles, age 43, of Hwy. 88, Sandersville, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, September 6, 2025, following an extended illness.  A funeral service celebrating his life will be held on Wednesday, September 10th at 11:00 a.m. in the May and Smith Funeral Home Chapel with burial following in Pleasant Hill Church Cemetery near Harrison.  Reverend Andy Carter and Reverend Victor Cuyler will officiate.  Serving as pallbearers will be Gene Renfroe, Simon Monroe, Tucker Hart, Matt Ivey, Wes Howell and Ken Parker. Members of the Sandersville Police Department will serve as honorary pallbearers.  The Knowles family will receive friends on Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Richard was born in Dublin and reared in Harrison and attended Johnson County Public Schools.  He graduated from Johnson County High School where he was known to be technologically savvy.  While in high school he created Richard's Communication Service, a company that outfitted emergency vehicles.  Richard began a lifelong career in law enforcement as a police officer working for the Tennille, Wadley, Bartow, Harrison and Wrightsville Police Departments.  He later worked for the Screven County Sheriff's Office.  Richard left law enforcement and worked for United Trucking and Windstream Communications.  He later owned and operated Knowles Logistics Trucking Company as well as Knowles Communications.  Following his passion, he returned to law enforcement working for the Thomson Police Department and currently served as a Sergeant for the Sandersville Police Department.  Richard also served as a volunteer fireman, a role he began at the age of 16.  He was a member of his childhood church, Pleasant Hill Baptist.  Richard was an extremely hard worker, often working after hours cutting yards with his side company, Yard by Yard.  He loved traveling, especially out west.  He was a quick-witted man who loved entertaining people and who was fun to be around.  His memory will be cherished by many.  Richard is predeceased by his father, Robert Henry Knowles.

Survivors include his wife, Brandi D. Knowles of Sandersville; children, Bethany Knowles (Tucker Hart) of Wrightsville, Katlyn Monroe (Simon) of Harrison, Millie Kate Knowles of Dublin, and Russell Henry Knowles of Sandersville; one grandson, Brooks Monroe; mother, Kathy Knowles of Harrison; and sister Michelle Pullen of Harrison.

Donations may be made to the Knowles Family Support Fund, P.O. Box 1016, Sandersville, GA. 31082.

Please leave an online condolence at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.