The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Brandi Rachelle (Knowles) Thomas, 37, of Longview, Wa. passed away Friday, Sept 5th, 2014 at St. Johns Medical Center.

Brandi was born on May 8th, 1977 to Jerry and Jonnie (Lawson)Knowles of Cathlamet. She was raised in Cathlamet and graduated from Wahkiakum High School in 1995. Brandi received her Certified Nursing Assistant license in 2009 and was passionate about her job at St. Johns Medical Center where she loved her duties and her co-workers on the medical floor. Throughout all of Brandi's trials, she refused to stop pursuing her dream of becoming a Registered Nurse.

Brandi was an adored member of the Cathlamet and Longview communities. She is known best for her extraordinary kindness and sarcastic sense of humor. Brandi had a unique way of making everyone she met feel like a best friend. The immeasurable diversity of friends she has stretches across all ages and personalities speaking to her exceptional nature. Her mere presence brightened a room and the way she demonstrated loyalty, forgiveness, selflessness and joy inspired others to be the best person they could be. Brandi continuously astonished people with her unwavering courage and determination.

Brandi's true treasures are her two daughters, Jessica Arlene and Grayci Lynne; these astonishing young women have inherited their mom's amazing sense of humor, strength and zest for life. Brandi's girls were her strength and passion for life. She was an affectionate, dedicated mother who loved her girls "to the moon and back."

To the little people in her life, she was known only as "Auntie Bunny." She loved to spoil her nieces and nephews and shared priceless traditions with them.

Brandi is preceded in death by her father Jerry Knowles, brother Michael Knowles, her grandfather Jack Lawson and her adored gram Arlene Lawson. She is survived by her daughters Jessica and Grayci Thomas, her boyfriend Shaun Burgess, mother Jonnie Knowles, sisters Amy Knowles-Atha, Heather Ratcliff, Heidi Mast, Kristi Langston and Mandi Knowles, brothers Pat, Frank and Jon Knowles, numerous nieces and nephews, her daughters' father Bill Thomas and many devoted friends.

A celebration of Brandi's life will take place Saturday, Sept. 13th, 4:00pm at Wahkiakum High School. The family encourages all in attendance to wear pink in honor of her fight against breast cancer. There will be a potluck reception following her service at JA Wendt Elementary multi-purpose room. Additionally, it is requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, P.O. Box 19023, Seattle WA 98109-1023. Checks may be made payable to SCCA with indication that they are in memory of Brandi Thomas. Or call (206) 288-2070 or (877) 308-3117 to make a donation by phone. These funds will go directly to assist breast cancer patients.