Dr. Michael John Knowles

Dr. Michael John Knowles, 71, of Fayetteville, NC, and Charleston, SC, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2024.

Michael is survived by his wife, Karen Smith Knowles, of Fayetteville; his daughter, Nicole Knowles Stevens (Kenny), of Charlotte, NC; his son, Alexander John Knowles (Stefani), of Grosse Pointe Park, MI; three grandchildren, Madeline Stevens of Charlotte, NC, and Ryder and Palmer Knowles of Grosse Pointe Park, MI; and his brother, Timothy Knowles (Gloria), of Bellingham, WA. He is also survived by three stepchildren, Drs. Russ and Sasha Davenport of Charlotte, NC, Laura Davenport Bass (Sam) and Charlotte Davenport Adler (Ben) of Raleigh, NC. Preceding him in death were his parents, William John Knowles and Genevieve Driggers Knowles.

Born in Wiesbaden, Germany, on August 9, 1953, Michael spent his early childhood years in Sweden and Cape Canaveral, FL, where his father served in the U.S. Air Force, before settling in Charleston, SC. Michael was a 1971 graduate of Bishop England High School, where he excelled in academics, football, and wrestling. He continued his education at the University of South Carolina and entered the Doctor of Dental Medicine program at the Medical University of South Carolina on a VA Health Professionals Scholarship. Upon his graduation in 1978, the newly minted Dr. Knowles was commissioned into the U.S. Army as a Captain. Michael served in the U.S. Army Dental Corps at Fort Bragg, NC, and later in Illesheim, Germany, rising to the rank of Major before his active-duty discharge in 1985.

After completing his military service, Michael returned to North Carolina, where he founded the first Village Family Dental practice in St. Pauls. Michael was a true entrepreneur and visionary, believing a practice could be built where all dental needs of a patient could be met. With the support of his original partners, Dr. Terry Smith and Dr. Faith McGibbon, the practice expanded to nine dental offices and three ambulatory dental surgery centers, serving six North Carolina communities.

As he grew the practice and built partnerships, Michael did so on the principles of treating patients and staff fairly and with dignity and respect. Even in retirement, Michael remained a regular figure around the offices, always the first to say “thank you” to team members and to mentor younger dentists.

Throughout the seasons of his life, Michael found solace in the great outdoors and his connection to nature. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and sailing, even earning a captain’s license. He took great pride in growing his own vegetables and was renowned for his collards—a labor-intensive dish enjoyed by so many that he was always searching for a larger pot.

Michael will be remembered as someone who was always looking for ways to help others. He gave of himself, his resources, and his time generously. He was never one for recognition; it meant the most to him to simply do the right thing. Though he may no longer walk among us, Michael’s legacy of love and generosity remains. A celebration of his life will be held at a later time.

Online condolences may be sent to http://www.jerniganwarren.com

Services provided by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28301

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