Lena Rose Knudsen was born March 1, 1935 in Waco, Texas to parents, Ludvik Thompson and Kate V. (Thomas) Thompson, and passed away on May 1, 2014 in Cleveland, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents, and husband, John Knudsen.

She is survived by her daughter, Ruth Ann Currie; son, Roger Bailey; son, Willie Bailey; son, Douglas Ray Bailey; daughter, Carlotta Griffis; son, John McGovern; son, Douglas Knudsen; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister, Helen Rogers; brother, Luther Thompson; sister, Dorothy Young; brother, Robert Thompson; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.