Betty Jean Knott

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.