Jama Joan Knott

Jama Joan Knott, 79 of North Little Rock, passed away September 30, 2016. She was born to Matt and Jama Decker on July 13, 1937 in Cushing, OK. Joan was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She leaves a legacy of kindness to her family and all who knew her. Her heart and home were always open to others. Hugs were always given. To her, people were more important than material things in life. She was always willing to sacrifice for others. She was a mother who never let the trials of life conquer her kindness and love for others. Joan was a very talented artist and could express her art in several different mediums including acrylics, oils, watercolor, and pastels. She loved sharing her talent with others, especially teaching her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She inspired her son Jeff to become an art teacher. Joan also enjoyed painting with friends on stage sets and murals at her church, First Assembly of North Little Rock. She was an active member of the Arkansas League of Artists for over 25 years. Joan loved the outdoors and often hiked on rugged trails and rode a bicycle with her family well into her 70’s. She was amazing. She was always ready for the next adventure. She rode motorcycles with Charlie for 33 years through many states in all kinds of weather conditions. They both thought it was a great way to see our beautiful country. She also loved working in the yard, as Charlie found out, better than cooking. Joan was always excited to see new places. She and Charlie loved traveling the country and seeking out beautiful natural wonders together. They shared a love for photography and enjoyed chasing lighthouses, covered bridges, and sunsets. Joan enjoyed trying to capture better images than his, which she often did. Charlie and Joan especially liked spending time and having fun with their family. They often visited their cabin on a creek near Mountain View for many years. They loved seeing their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren enjoy playing in the creek, riding the ATV and dirt bike, and sitting around a fire on cool nights. Joan had roots in Oklahoma and had great memories of her childhood there. Her parents, Matt and Jama, had a farm there. She and her sisters, Martha and Lily, enjoyed going to the farm for many years. These are just a few of the beautiful memories she leaves behind as she goes to be with the Lord. Joan was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in North Little Rock. She worked at the Remington Arms Plant in Lonoke, Arkansas, for over 22 years, where she was in charge of the printing and reproduction center. The many people, who came to her work area, felt she was actually in charge of cheer and goodwill for the plant. She is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Charlie Knott; two daughters, Terry Fritz and her husband Rick Fritz, Carla Knott Torrijos and her husband German Torrijos; four sons, David Butler, Dan Butler, Sam Butler and his wife Peggy Butler, Jeff Knott and his wife Christy Knott; two sisters, Martha Decker Hill, and Lily Decker Prichard; eight grandchildren, Karen Davis Price, Ellen Joan Gaskins, Amy Davis Dixon, Danielle Butler, Shawn Butler, Alex Knott, Elisa Torrijos, Elias Torrijos; and five great-grandchildren, Matt Harvey, Donnie Price Jr., Katelyn Fletcher, Baley Berry , Kye Dixon. Visitation will be held at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 from 12:00-1:45pm. Funeral service will begin at 2:00pm. An online guest book is available at www.griffinleggettresthills.com.