Betty Jean Knott, age 84, received her wings on Sunday, September 22, 2019, at 6:52 AM. Betty was born August 16, 1935, in Logan, West Virginia to the late Memphis and Christine Martin. She graduated from Aracoma High School, in 1953, and was Class Valedictorian. She later became the loving and caring wife of Thomas James Knott, of 64 years, and the mother of five children.
Betty loved the Lord and was baptized at an early age and later joined Second Shiloh Baptist Church.
She retired from JC Penney – Distribution Center, as a Manager, after 20 years of service. Betty was the First African American President of the Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) Club in the Philippines at Clark Air Force Base, 1970 – 1972, and Vice President of the NCO Club at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, 1972 – 1974.
Betty was also the first African American President of the Columbus Women’s Bowling Association, 1987 – 1999, named Director of the Ohio State Bowling Association, 1996 – 2001, the Vice President of Ohio State Bowling Association, 2004 – 2010. She was inducted into the following Halls of Fame: Central Ohio USBC, Ohio Women’s Bowling Association and Ohio Bowling Association, won several awards; and was Member Emeritus of Ohio Bowling Association.
Betty thoroughly enjoyed bowling, BINGO, travelling (especially to Las Vegas and Tunica), and spending time with her family and friends! She was an avid sports fan of Pro Football and Basketball. She LOVED the Dallas Cowboys, no matter the season they had!
Betty is preceded in death by her parents Memphis and Christine Martin, sister Florence Thomas, and brother Robert Lee Martin.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Thomas James Knott; three daughters, Renee (Rick) Riley, Yvette Knott, Veronica Knott; adopted daughter Deborah Campbell; and two sons, Thomas James Knott II, and Patrick (Leslie) Knott; six grandchildren, Douglas (Asha) Johns, Sanee (Phillip) Robinson, Aja (George) Darden, Dawn Mitchell, Brandon Cook and Sarah Caitlin Knott, nine great-grandchildren, Destiny Johns, Lenaja Brown, Malaysia Brown, Seyvion Johns, Mike Waters, Truinity Darden, Savanah Robinson, Penelope Robinson, Brandon Cook; one great-great- grandchild, Jenesis Lyles, six brothers Memphis (Mel) Martin, Charles (Ruby) Martin, Alvin Martin, Carl (Shirley) Martin, Jeffrey (Vicky) Martin, Earnest (Willie Mae) Martin and three sisters Dorothy Scruggs, Patricia (Tommie) Weems, Deborah (Andrew) Waters and a wealth of family, including nieces, nephews, cousins, adopted children, grandchildren, family friends as well as BINGO, Bowling and JC Penney friends!
She suffered from physical pain, brought on by the treatment for breast cancer, no matter how bad the pain became, she never once complained! She had a loving, compassionate and caring spirit and was one who never met a stranger. Betty was an inspirational figure, to all around her, one with enormous integrity and strength. She’ll be remembered as a strong woman whose grace and dignity held up her family and friends.
This is the time to celebrate her life, love and legacy as she rests in peace with our Heavenly Father!
Visitation 10AM and Funeral Service 11AM Monday, September 30, 2019 at Second Shiloh Baptist, 1295 Faber Ave.
Interment at Franklin Hills Memory Gardens.
Thomas and family, my heart is very heavy right now. Peace be with you. In my heart Fond memories of Betty will always be with me, our growing up together in Logan. She was my sister and my best friend. Peace and Love to all.
Irene
We have lost an elegant and giving lady. She touched your heart and made me smile. I treasure our time together. Our Lord needed a bowler and administration leader.
With deep regrets. I just heard today. My prayers are with the family.
Vince and Lorri Hendtix
We know this must be a very difficult and demanding time for your family, you have our deepest sympathy. May the peace of God guard your hearts. Thinking of you all.
Our deepest condolences to you, Thomas , and to your family.
Thankful for the love and compassion of our Heavenly Father as you mourn your loss.
We are praying that your family will share the happy memories and be surrounded by love as you celebrate the life of Betty during this difficult time. Always remember God’s love never fails.
A $50.00 donation will be made in loving memory of Betty J. Knott, from the Voyagers Life Group at Montgomery Community Church in Montgomery, Ohio to the American Cancer Society.
May the joy of special memories bring you comfort today and all days moving forward.
Soror Knott, Praying for strength and comfort for you, your Father and your family
Such a strong intelligent wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend and so much more… Thankful to witness the presence of a kind and gentle matriarch, truly a blessing from God. She lived so many great chapters and created so many great exciting and enjoyable memories, such an inspiration to those who were blessed to know Betty. She certainly gave a blue print of how to be engaged honorably in living life to the fullest… My condolences especially to my honorable friend Mr. Thomas Knott (Betty’s husband) as well as her sons and daughters, all the Knotts, the Martins, and all others she loved and cherished.
Sincerely,
Darryl/ Quinne/ and Wade Williams
Condolences to the Knott Family.
I bowled with Miss Betty on Thursday’s.
Our team was “CLASSIC TRIO”.
Even though I couldn’t bowl, Miss Betty was always patient.
The “CLASSIC TRIO ” will carry on for you Miss Betty.
RIH
A Beautiful lady. Our prayers are with you
Please know the entire family is in our prayers during this very difficult time. We pray that God cares for and comforts you all. God Bless.
We have all lost a very special person. I was privileged to know Betty through JCP at work, our monthly breakfast and lunches, and many bus trips to Hollywood, Ind. and Wheeling. She always lit up the room with her beautiful smile. She was very special to me. My prayers are with Thomas and all the family.
Betty was my 1st supervisor at JCP.
Always looked forward to seeing her at our jcp lunch once a month.
She’ll always be in my heart a d ill miss her sweet smile abd kind heart.
Love you Betty.
Brenda Ceneskie
While I never met Betty, I worked with Tom for many years at Flxible in Delaware and remember how proud he was of Betty and his children. I felt Tom and I had a bond of sorts because I was also born in West Virginia (Parkersburg) and was also an Air Force Veteran. I remember fondly the time we worked and socialized together and wish Tom and his entire family the best. My wife and I just celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary, so I can feel what it must be like to lose the love of my life after so many years. Please except my condolences.
Betty was a co-worker and friend at the J.C. Penney Co. . We worked together many years and she was always a mentor and Godly example to me; she was well thought of by all who knew her.
Her passing leaves many in tears and grieving, however we know she is in heaven with her beloved Jesus Christ and savior.
It was a great privilege to know and be a friend to such a wonderful lady.
We will all miss her at our monthly J.C.P breakfast and lunches.
The family will be in my prayers and thoughts.
I met Betty at Eastland Mall as a walker she was a very nice person. I always told her she reminded me of my mother strong and never giving up. She is at rest and in no more pain and I am going to miss seeing her sitting at her table drinking coffee and doing puzzles and eating my cake. Rest in peace.
To Elder Renee Riley and family,
How sweet to know that the Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! All the beautiful remembrances of your mother go to show that her love will live on in the strength and kindness of her descendants. You are all a wonderful legacy! Prayers always…
Rich and Sandra Swain
Ronnie, Truly sorry about your Mother, and my late correspondence, God Bless your Family.