Garrett Lee (Bo) Knotts

Veteran and Home-Town Legend

Garrett was the youngest of 10 children born to Reverend George and Annie Smith Knotts on June 10, 1934, all of whom preceded him in death.

He was educated in the Lexington City School System at Dunbar School. There he met and later married the love of his life for over 70 years, Lucy Estella Moore Knotts who preceded him in death September 19, 2020.

In 1953 he chose to leave school and join the United States Armed Forces. He served as a member of the Military Police in the Korean War until his discharge in 1956. Upon his discharge, he returned home and became a member of the Lexington Blues Semi Pro Baseball Team.

He was a self- employed concrete contractor, caterer and a chef in various local and surrounding area restaurants. He was also employed as a chef, feeding the inmates at the Davidson County Jail, serving under Sheriff Gerald Hege.

Mr. Knotts was a faithful and lifelong member of Ezekiel A.M.E. Zion Church where he served as a trustee, steward, director of Ezekiel’s food pantry, as well as serving on various committees of the church.

Being well known and liked in the Lexington Community, he was a trailblazer in many of the organizations in which he was affiliated, such as but not limited to The Bass Fishing Club, The Ford Griffin VFW Post 7500, The American Legion Banks Miller Post 255 and Acacia Lodge 66, where he was chosen to lead the North Carolina Delegation in the parade celebrating the organization’s Centennial in New Orleans.

Mr. Knotts was a two-time cancer survivor and served as a volunteer advocate for the Cancer Services of Lexington by speaking to individuals and groups on early detection of the disease and was an avid participant in the Relay for Life.

Being an avid golfer, he was the founder and organizer of the Bo Weevils’ Golf Club, comprised of men who loved to play golf in Lexington. The golf club organized tournaments that provided scholarships for students to attend colleges and universities.

At age 87, Garrett peacefully boarded that train bound for glory on February 11, 2022 at his residence on Poplar Street, surrounded by his family.

Cherishing are his children: Lesley (Jimmy) Alston of Spencer, North Carolina, Ronald (Mary) Knotts of Julesburg, Colorado, Beverly (Bruce) Benson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Warren Knotts of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Patti Williams of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Angela (Curtis, devoted son-in-law) McDuffie of Lexington, North Carolina, Kelly Crook of Lexington, North Carolina; 3 special family friends: Tanya Shaw, Lola Bellamy & Jackie Bellamy who were caretakers; 16 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

During Black History Month we salute the Veteran, the husband, the father, the cancer survivor, the community leader, the chef, the Neighbor!