MILFORD - Loretta M. "Chub" Knowles, 77, of Milford, passed away Thursday, June 9, 2011, at Milford Memorial Hospital. She was born on May 21, 1934, in Dover Plains, N.Y., to the late Calvin Fillmore and Charlotte Smith. Loretta worked as a waitress before moving to Delaware and marrying her late husband Robert Henry Knowles. For a long time they ran a fruit stand, Uncle Henry's in Dover and also worked out of Spence's Bazaar in Dover. She loved spending time with her family and friends, fishing, playing bingo, knitting, and traveling. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Henry Knowles; daughter, Patricia Knowles; brothers, Ray Vandewater and Charles Vandewater; and grandson, Gregory Knowles. She is survived by her significant other, Robert Artz; five children, two grandchildren that she raised, and one step-son; son, Ronald Knowles and wife Ann of Camden; son, Richard Knowles of Smyrna; daughter, Barbara Lovegrove and husband Michael of Smyrna; daughter, Ruth O'Neal and husband Richard of Smyrna; son, Dale Knowles of Milford; step-son, Bobby Knowles and wife Margaret of Dover; grandchildren she raised, Spring Howe-Bates of Clayton, and Tricia Knowles of Dover; brothers, Chip Vandewater of Camden, and Curtis Porter of Maryland; step-brother, Nick Fillmore; step-sister, Lucille Dolinsky, both of Hartford, Conn.; 16 grandchildren, Danny Knowles of Tennessee, April Blanchard-McLeich, Pam Knowles, Debbie Knowles, Jen Allen, Christopher Rosario, all of Dover, Jessica Lovegrove, Heather Gillespie, Mathew O'Neal, Shawn O'Neal, Jason O'Neal, all of Smyrna, Kevin Knowles, Kathryn Knowles, both of North Carolina, Douglas Knowles of Milford, and Roxanne Cox of Virginia; and 27 great-grandchildren. Memorial Services and burial will be 11 a.m., Friday, June 17, 2011, at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear. Gathering of family and friends will be at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 100 West 10 St., Suite 1002, Wilmington, DE 19801. Letters of condolences may be sent to www.delmarvaobits.com or traderfh@aol.com.