Suzanne Marie (Thompson) Knowles

Life’s Reflection

Suzanne Thompson Knowles was born to Solomon Henry, Jr. and Clara Lucille Thompson at Douglass Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas on November 11, 1931.  She attended public schools in Kansas City, Kansas and graduated from Sumner High School in 1949.  She later received a BA Degree in Bacteriology from the University of Kansas.  At the university in 1952, she was one of the first African Americans to participate in the Jay Janes (Pep Squad).  She later became certified as a medical technologist and supervised multiple laboratories at the University of Kansas Hospital during her forty plus year career.

Because Suzanne was an avid fan of any KU event, she and her beloved dog, Harley, hardly ever missed watching any KU football or basketball game on TV.

Suzanne was a lifelong and faithful member of First A.M.E. Church, devoting much of her time to the Unit 3 of the Missionary Society, the Lay Organization, as well as the Food Kitchen.  As a tireless worker in many community organizations, she was a third generation member of the Pierian Club of Kansas City, Kansas, where her vision to feature the works of Henry O. Tanner in conjunction with the 100^th anniversary of the Pierian club developed into an extensive exhibit of the artists’ works at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri.  She was a life member of the NAACP.  She was a supporter of the Kansas University Alumni Association.  She also held a variety of offices in Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Sumner High School Alumni Association, and the Sumner High School Education Foundation, Inc. She was a charter member of the Greater Kansas City Chapter of Drifters, Inc.,

As a member of the Board of Directors of the Wyandotte County Historical Society, she became fascinated with the ‘Save the Flags!’ Project, designed to preserve a collection of battle flags, including those of African American units.  She encouraged the Historical Committee of the Sumner High School Alumni Association, to join in the effort to design a replica of the battle flag of the 1^st Kansas Colored’s Infantry.

Suzanne Knowles is survived by one brother, Henry R. Thompson, Sr. (Gayle), Hilton Head Island, SC; nephews, Henry R. Thompson, Jr., Kansas City, MO; Miguel Williams, MD (Sarah), Chatsworth, CA; Miles Williams; and David Garrett (Heather); nieces, Nicole Williams; Amanda Ingrum;  Angela Gee; and Teresa Johnson; cousins, Ronah Gray; William McLen; Donald McLen; James McLen; Virgil Moore (Wynnona); and Douglas James Thompson; and a host of other relatives and friends.

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