H 5572  Resolution, By McDaniel, Govan, Henegan, King, Brawley, Pendarvis, Jefferson, 
Anderson, Alexander, Bamberg, Hosey, Clyburn, Dillard, Gilliard, Rivers, 
Brown, Howard, Mack, Parks, Rutherford, Robinson, Thigpen, Weeks, R.Williams, 
Henderson-Myers, Garvin, Moore, S.Williams and Matthews
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SYMPATHY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE
 SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF DEACON JAMES
 KNOTTS OF RICHLAND COUNTY, THE LAST SURVIVING SOUTH CAROLINA MONTFORD POINT
 MARINE, AND TO EXTEND THEIR SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO HIS LOVING FAMILY AND HIS
 MANY FRIENDS.
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   09/15/20  House  Introduced and adopted (House Journal-page 116)

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SYMPATHY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF DEACON JAMES KNOTTS OF RICHLAND COUNTY, THE LAST SURVIVING SOUTH CAROLINA MONTFORD POINT MARINE, AND TO EXTEND THEIR SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO HIS LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of Deacon James Knotts at the age of one hundred on September 12, 2020; and

Whereas, James Knotts was born in Norway, South Carolina, on December 19, 1919. He was very young when he lost his father, so he left his education at Rocky Swamp School and took a job selling blackberries to help support his family. In 1938, Mr. Knotts married his first wife, Leona Bowlin, and they were blessed in marriage for more than four decades before her passing in 1981; and

Whereas, Mr. Knotts began thirty-two years of employment at Fort Jackson in 1941, interrupted by his service in the military during World War II. After he completed Basic Training at Camp Montford Point in Jacksonville, North Carolina, in April 1945, he was among the first African Americans to serve in the United States Marine Corps, serving with honor during World War II until August 1946; and

Whereas, he continued to serve his nation in the Sixth Marine Corps Reserve from 1948 to 1950 during the Korean Conflict, receiving the Good Conduct Medal. After leaving Fort Jackson in 1973, he was employed with Hardaway Concrete Company until 1987 when he retired; and

Whereas, Mr. Knotts was grateful for the love of his second wife, Flossie Butler, who preceded him in death in 1991. He enjoyed the affection of two fine daughters and four adoring granddaughters, and he was blessed to see his children to the third and fourth generation; and

Whereas, an active and faithful member of Sweet Home Baptist Church in Columbia since 1952, he served as president and vice president of the Jubilee Choir, superintendent and treasurer of Sunday school, church treasurer, and chair and co-chair of the deacons' ministry; and

Whereas, Mr. Knotts was dedicated to his community, serving as precinct president and treasurer of Hopkins and Bluff Road precincts, and he was initiated into Killian #72 of Ancient York Rite Masons, Prince Hall origin, in 1950, receiving 32nd degree; and

Whereas, he was an avid gardener and enjoyed yearly competitions with his neighbors to see who could grow the best and biggest gardens, a delight he gained from his youth selling blackberries; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are grateful for the life and legacy of James Knotts and for the example of dedication and service he set for all who knew him. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sympathy upon the passing of Deacon James Knotts of Richland County, the last surviving South Carolina Montford Point Marine, and extend their sincere condolences to his loving family and his many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Deacon James Knotts.