Sudie E. Knortz

Born October 7, 1921 in Coffeeville, MS, to H. Fred Rounsaville and Lou Ella Cook, Sudie E. Knortz died on April 13, 2017, in Easton, MD. Sudie lived a full and independent life up until a recent fall. She passed from complications related to the injuries. She previously resided in Titusville, FL, for 30 years and Baldwin, NY, for 20 years. She also lived in Brooklyn NY, Tampa FL, McAllen TX, Detroit MI, Trenton MI, Freeport NY, Homestead FL, and Laurel MD. She is survived by children, Genevieve E. Hurley (John) of Easton, MD, Geri S. Knortz of Hinesburg, VT, and Edward J. North of Burlington, VT; grandchildren, Joanna Cleary (Joseph) of Mount Waverley, Victoria, Australia, and Jessica Hurley of Easton; great-grandchildren, Grace, Jude, and Hugh Cleary of Mount Waverley, Victoria, Australia; her sister, Betty Rounsaville Miller of Grenada, MS; nieces, Barbara McMahan Miller of Olive Branch, MS, and Peggy Geiger (Steve) of Charlotte, NC; nephew, James Miller (Janet) of Grenada, MS; and sister-in-law, Patricia McNabb of Owings Mills, MD. Sudie was pre-deceased by her husband of 47 years Edward G. Knortz; daughter, Karen A. Knortz; four brothers, Howard, Bill, Thomas and David; and a sister, Freddie Rounsaville McMahan. Sudie also had many friends who loved her from her Londonderry Retirement Community in Easton MD, as well as those she continued to stay connected with from the many family moves all over the USA due to her husband’s posts in the US Border Patrol and US Immigration. Sudie was a 1940 graduate of Coffeeville High School. She proudly served her country as a member of the US Coast Guard (SPARS) from 1943-1945 and was stationed in NYC as a naval headquarters switchboard operator during WWII. Throughout her years she served in many other capacities including positions as school and hospital food preparer and server, as well as a volunteer for schools and hospice. She was a loving and devoted mother to her children who loved her dearly. Sudie was a strong and resourceful “people person” who loved truly and unconditionally. She could talk to a complete stranger and quickly become a life-long friend. She had an exceptionally generous spirit and was a champion for those less fortunate. Sudie was a devoted parishioner of the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Parish in Easton. Visitation will be held Thursday, April 20, from 5-7 p.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, 200 South Harrison St in Easton. A Catholic funeral mass will be held at a later date at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Grenada, MS, and burial at Broadstreet Cemetery in Coffeeville, MS. Arrangements are being handled by McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service, 4817 Commerce Street, Grenada, MS. For those who wish to remember Sudie, please consider a donation to any cause dear to her heart, Boys Town, Society of St Vincent DePaul, Choices Pregnancy Center in Easton, HIV/AIDS support organizations, The Human Rights Campaign, any hospice organization, or a memorial donation to a charity of your choice.

Sudie E. Knortz

October 7, 1921 - April 13, 2017