Sally Jo Knowles

Sally Jo Knowles, born January 15, 1937 and died December 17, 2024, called Chicago her home for her whole life, but was proud to have travelled the world, primarily by ship. She had a varied and fulfilling career. Sally graduated from Northwestern University as a music (opera) and speech major. Her first career was in radio, television and modeling including travelling and performing with the USO. Her singing career was cut short when she was struck by a car on the night before becoming the opening singer for the Continental Plaza. After a grueling recovery she returned to school, earning a teaching certificate from Chicago State Teachers’ College and a Masters degree in Special Education from the National College of Education in Evanston. She later worked in Chicago City Public School special education for many years. Some of her special memories from high school included being the third-ranked teenage bowler in Chicago and being Ms. South Shore and a finalist for Ms. Chicago. As an adult, she took special pride in her connections to military services, including her father and husband’s service and her own USO participation in Alaska and the Pacific, performing in Vietnam, the Philippines, Guam, Korea, Taiwan, Okinawa, Singapore, and Japan. She enjoyed swimming and walking, dining out and going to the theater.

Sally was preceded in death by her father, Donald Brewster Knowles, her mother Thelma Rosemar (Thomas) Knowles and her brother Donald as well as her husband George Butler and step daughter Ashley Butler and granddaughter Krista Butler and grandson Sean Butler.

She is survived by her stepchildren, Georganne Butler Burton and her husband Orville Vernon Burton, and David Butler and his wife Liz Butler, and John Butler and his wife Brenda Butler as well as 7 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.

Funeral services will be held December 30th, 2024 at Drake and Son located at 5303 N. Western Avenue, Chicago, 60625, with visitation at 12 noon and services at 1 pm.