Alfretta Mae Knox, 84, of Ellwood City, passed away Saturday, September 7, 2013, at Trinity Oaks, PA, with her loving family at her side.

Born February 17, 1929, in Clinton, PA, she was a daughter of the late Clarence and Hazel Rogers Fluharty. She graduated from Community College of Beaver County as a LPN and in 1980 founded the George Knox Personal Care Home in Hookstown. During the next ten years, she opened two other care homes; both named Trinity Oaks, the first in Brighton Twp. and later in Ellwood City. Alfretta dedicated her life to caring for others. She was an example to all she met through her philosophy of care through respect, dignity, honor and compassion. The love she shared with those in need was essentially who Alfretta was.

Preceding her in death, besides her parents, were her husband of 54 years, George W. Knox, Jr. in 2003; a sister, Nora Ritchie and five brothers, Clarence 'Bud', Earl, Raymond, Carl, and Johnnie Fluharty.

She is survived by a son, George W. III (Ann) Knox, Baden; a daughter, Nancy (Glenn) Simmons, Brighton Twp.; four grandchildren, Joseph Knox, Katelyn (Patrick Collins) Knox Collins, Tracie King and Heather Simmons and two great-grandchildren, Nicholas Bowers and Taylor King. Alfretta was one of 13 children in her family, she is survived by six sisters, Gladys Groter, MO; Effie Heddleson, OH; Thelma Kormos, WV; Evelyn Sicklesmith, MI; Hazel Balding, TX and Esther Fisher, NV and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the NOLL FUNERAL HOME INC., 333 Third St., Beaver, where a service will be conducted Wednesday at 11 a.m. Private entombment will take place at the Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum, Aliquippa. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the Gateway Hospice, and more importantly, the staffs at both Ellwood and Brighton Twp. Trinity Oaks where the staff was and always will be thought of as family.