Obituary of Pastor Larry Kenneth Knowles

Pastor Larry Kenneth Knowles, 71, passed away after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer, at his daughter’s home surrounded by his loved ones in Lavonia, Georgia. He was born on May 17, 1948. He was a 1968 graduate of Ketron High School (Kingsport, TN) and a Salutatorian Summa cum Laude 1975 graduate of Lee University (Cleveland, TN) with a double major in history and pastoral studies and a minor in the Greek language.

Pastor Knowles served his country in the United States Army as a Sergeant where he received the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Sharpshooters M-14 Marksmanship Badge.

Following his time of military service, Pastor Knowles became an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God of Cleveland, TN. During his 40 years as a full time minister, he pastored churches in Goderich, Ontario, Canada; Richmond Heights and Mount Vernon, Ohio; Church Hill, Kingsport (Cross Connection), Ooltewah (Redemption Point), and Memphis (Oak Forest) Tennessee; and Olive Branch and Lucedale, Mississippi.

During his ministry retirement, Pastor Knowles lived in Ooltewah, TN, where he was an employee of Catoosa County Schools Georgia and an active member of the Redemption Point Church of God in Ooltewah, TN.

Pastor Knowles was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth Stephen and Christine Sanders Knowles; his stepmother, Evelyn Shipley Knowles; father-in law, Doyle Burrell; step brother, Darryl Shipley; and his brothers in law, Bob Skelton and Ron Davis. He is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Doyalette Burrell Knowles of Ooltewah, TN; his daughter, Tina Knowles Tripp (husband Adam) of Lavonia, Ga; his grandsons David and Jon Erik Tripp of Lavonia, GA; his sisters, Sandy Skelton Davis and Vicki Stapleton (husband James) of Kingsport; his step sister, Vanessa Shipley Sales (husband Jim); step brothers, Alan (wife Lisa) Shipley and Doyle Shipley; mother-in law, Joyce Burrell; in laws, Jeff & Sherri Burrell, Bobby & Pam Burrell Skelton, Denise Burrell, Shane & Candace Burrell Stone; along with several nieces and nephews.

There will be a receiving of friends from 5 to 7 p.m. followed by a Memorial Service for Pastor Larry Knowles at Redemption Point Church in Ooltewah, TN, on Wednesday, October 30.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, November 1, from 4 to 6 pm followed by a celebration of life service at Cross Connection Church in Kingsport, TN with Pastor Adam Tripp officiating. Pallbearers will be: David Tripp, Jon Erik Tripp, Brent Skelton, James Stapleton, Clint Stapleton, Shane Stone, Ronald “Red” Fraser, and Ray Newton.

Interment will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery in Kingsport, TN with military honors on Saturday, November 2 at 11 a.m.