Albert Ray Knotts, Jr., 1926-1999

  Albert Ray Knotts Jr., was born in Nottoway, Virginia, on April 4, 1926, the son of Albert and Ruth Knotts. Following graduation from high school in Blackstone, Al entered Princeton University and earned a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Al received a call to the ordained ministry and entered the Divinity School at Duke University, graduating in 1955. Al and Mable Pulley Knotts had grown up as youth on the Nottoway Charge, fell in love, and were married at Victoria Methodist Church on December 18, 1954. From that union came Ray Knotts III, David Knotts, and Steven Knotts, survivors. Al Knotts was a great pastor, serving at LaCrosse, Prospect, Farmville District, Pembroke, Boonsboro, Wesley in Hopewell, Rocky Mount and Strasburg, retiring in 1991. I came to know Al well while we both were serving at Lynchburg, and were part of a clergy and wives support group. Al served on the conference Board of Ordained Ministry, was District Missions Secretary in three different districts. He was very involved in Volunteers in Mission, going to Mexico, Costa Rica, Sierra Leone, and, in retirement, to Edisto, South Carolina. For a number of years, Al served as secretary for the Virginia Conference Journal. Al Knotts was a dedicated and effective pastor for over 40 years.

  When Al was diagnosed with leukemia and Mable called, I went to the Medical College of Virginia-VCU, Massie Cancer Treatment Center, where we spent many hours together during his illness. Al passed away at his home outside Blackstone on June 28, 1999; a burial service was held on July 1, 1999, at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church cemetery, in Nottoway County.

  There was a service of Celebration on Sunday, July 4, 1999, at Crenshaw United Methodist Church, led by the Rev. Sylvia S. Meadows, pastor, and the Rev. Charles B. King, superintendent of the Farmville District. Eugene Baker, Barry Burkeholder, and Ray Knotts also offered brief remarks at the service. Regrettably, it was not so that I could be present. Thank God for the true friend I had in Al Knotts.

— Henry E. Riley Jr.