Obituary of Bernice Knowles Fleischman

Bernice Knowles Fleischman Bernice (Bee) Jane Knowles Fleischman died at her home in Ocala, Florida on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at the age of 84. Bee was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania on August 14, 1927, the daughter of Frank and Rosalia Tess Knowles. Afflicted with polio, Bee lived at the D.T. Watson Home for Crippled Children in Leetsdale, Pennsylvania from age 6 to 14 years. After the accidental death of her father, she left the D.T. Watson home to move with her mother and four siblings to St. Petersburg, Florida. In St. Petersburg, she attended Tomlinson Vocational School. She met and married her husband, John Thomas Fleischman, in St. Petersburg. They made homes in St. Petersburg, Ocala, Palatka, and Gainesville, FL. Despite her physical limitations, Bee never uttered a complaint and instead cared for and protected others. Bee was a loving mother and doting grandmother whose candy jar was always full and patience level was always high. Bee showed compassion and love to everyone. Her door was open to all in need no matter the circumstance. She exhibited only kindness; never judgment. Whether known as Bee, Mom, Grandma Bee, MomBee, or Aunt Bee, she was always a pillar of support and calming influence in the lives of those she touched. Her kitchen was her domain and she let you know it. She enjoyed working the crossword puzzle every morning and was known to play a game of Scrabble or two or three. When on her scooter, watch out as she was on the go, forwards and backwards, and one needed to stay out of her way. She loved to swim and later in life she met many new friends while attending water exercise classes at Lifetime Fitness Center. Bee was preceded in death by her husband, John Thomas Fleischman, parents Frank and Rosalia Knowles, brothers David Tess, Indianapolis, IN, and Frank "Skip" Knowles, Tampa, FL and sister, Shirley Phillips, Gulf Breeze, FL. She is survived by her daughters, Jeanne Brasington and Kristen Moody (Lynn), Gainesville, FL; grandchildren, Denise Hutson (Ben), John Brasington, and Taylor Moody; great-grandchildren, Colleen and Jack Hutson. She is also survived by her sister, Eleanor Baynard, Chiefland, FL. and many nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate Bee's life will be held at 5:00 pm Thursday, November 17, 2011 at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Chapel, 910 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Bernice's honor to Hospice of Marion County or any charitable contribution of your choice.