Arlota was born on August 6th 1935 in Elma Washington to parents William Thomas and Ruby Beatrice Kearney. She was the seventh child of nine siblings. She graduated from Elma High School in 1953. She Moved to Everett, Washington were she worked on a fish cannery ship before she secured employment as a riveter at Boeing Aircraft Company. She moved to Portland Oregon in 1958 to attend Conquerors Bible College. While Attending she met Peter Lee Knighten. After Graduation in 1961, They married on December 23rd 1961. They moved to Albany Oregon were Peter was an assistant Pastor for the Albany Church. While there, they welcomed a son, Joseph lee. They then relocated as missionaries to New Westminster, BC Canada for a couple of years were daughter, Lanette Ruth, made her arrival. They then moved to Centralia Washington were they started The United Pentecostal Church of Centralia, While in Centralia their third child, Kolene Arlota, was born. In 1979, They Returned to Peters birthplace of Redding California. They worked together for Sprouse Reitz in a variety of locations in California before returning to Redding and working as Managers for Park Marina Village Apartments. In 1997, They started a Ministry in Shasta Lake, California. They Retired in 2006 to Shasta Lake.
Arlota is survived by her son, Joseph Lee Knighten Sr, of Shasta Lake, California, daughter, Lanette Ruth Anelle, of Redding, California and daughter, Kolene Arlota Valdez (Michael) of Greeley Colorado. Two Siblings, Wayne Kearney of Bremerton Washington and Darlene Fisher of Stanwood Washington and two sister in-laws, Margaret Smith and Elaine Kearney. She was survived by 15 grandchildren, Tara, Michael (Shara Lee), Joseph Jr, Ruby, Peter (Janelly), Corinna, Jeremy, Christina (Steven), Kaitlyn, Amanda, Brianna and Victoria. She is also survived by 6 Great-grandchildren, Aryauna, Colton, Zachery, Brendan, Franklin and Alina. Arlota was preceded in death by her husband Peter Lee, her parents, William and Ruby, and six siblings, Erma, Elton, Leo, Bethene, Edgar and Burton.
A Celebration of life is scheduled for 1:00 pm on November 15th, 2021 at the McDonald's Chapel at 1275 Continental St. Redding California. with a reception to follow at the Jesus Name Apostolic church at 20651 Fig Tree Lane, Redding California.