Bernadette Helen Knisley

January 26, 1944 — May 14, 2018

Bernadette Helen Richards Knisley, 74, wife of Edward L. Knisley, passed away at home on May 14, 2018, after an extended illness. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Knisley are invited to attend her Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 PM, Friday, May 18, 2018, at Nativity Catholic Church. The Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM, Thursday evening, at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy.

Bernadette was born January 26, 1944, in Charleston, the youngest of seven brothers and sisters born to the late Edward Phillip Richards, Sr. and Gladys Jones Richards. She graduated from Bishop England High School and later worked as a Surgical Technician for St. Francis Xavier Hospital on Rutledge Avenue and later retired from the Roper West Ashley Surgery Center.

She is survived by her husband; a son, Edward L. Knisley, Jr. of Charleston and a daughter, Lisa Knisley White (Anthony) of Johns Island; her brother, Edward Phillip Richards, Jr. of McClellanville, SC; her sister, Irene R. Bennett (Arnold) of Charleston, SC; her brother-in-law, Rick Richtermeyer; her dearest friend and “sister,” Rose Mary White Ryan of Daniel Island; and numerous, very special, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, John J. Richards and sisters, Anne R. Guerry, Susan R. Clark, and Mary R. Richtermeyer.

The family would like to thank the wonderful nurses and staff of St. Francis Hospital, NHC Rehab, Roper Hospice, Bernadette’s amazing caregiver at home, Pamela, and Sr. Mary Cyril, her 7th grade teacher who comforted Bernadette and the family during her last hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org/give) or Bishop England High School (www.behs.com/giving).

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bernadette Helen Knisley, please visit our flower store.

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