To My Dear Family and Friends
Early Thursday morning, I heard a faint bell in the distance. It gradually became louder and clearer. As my curiosity got the better of me, I began to walk towards the sound. I wondered, “Is that the church bell or dinner bell?” When I reached the source of this beautiful sound, to my utter delight, it was the Joy Bell of Jesus calling me home. An oh, when I saw my Jesus face to face, what a feeling of joy and peace that came over me! He ushered me in, with open arms saying, “Well done, my Good and Faithful servant,” and I saw many familiar faces seated around the table. My mother, father, sisters, brothers, and the list goes on. So, don’t weep too long or worry about me. I’m just fine! My Lord and King has prepared a glorious home for me and if you have given your life to Christ, I will see you too. I will see you at the great coronation, by and by… Love you all, Lady Bobbie Knox
Celebration of Life
Bobbie Lee Knox Proverbs 31:10-31
Lady Bobbie Lee Knox of Springfield MO, first lady, wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, cousin, and friend. She died at the age of 89 on December 28, 2023, while in home hospice. She was surrounded by her loved ones after a battle with various conditions and a fractured hip. She was preceded in death by her parents, Allen Jefferson Rowe, Sr. and Jeffie Mae (Golden) Rowe; her two brothers Allen J. Rowe, Jr., and Calvin Rowe; and her four sisters Arvanna Morrison, Joyce Wilson, Brenda Rivette, and Nonnie Quick. Lady Bobbie was born on December 6, 1934, in Newport, AR. She accepted Christ at an early age in Arkansas. She attended elementary school in Little Rock, AR and after moving to Kansas City attended R.T. Coles High School where she learned the trade of seamstress and dressmaking. She was a lifelong member of Barker Temple Church of God In Christ (COGIC). She sung with her sisters in a local group called the Rowe Sisters. Lady Bobbie worked as a nurse aide during high school at KU Medical Center. One year before their marriage Lady Bobbie and Min. David met at Barker Temple during a Western Missouri State Workers Meeting. During their courtship, David lived and worked in Springfield, and she was in Kansas City; their sincere love developed through the U.S. Postal System. Long-distance phone calls were out of the question, they dated during District and State gatherings. Through this courtship, she fell in love with David, a lead guitarist and licensed minister. They were joined in matrimony on February 18, 1955, by Elder L.H. Clark, Sr. at the home of Bishop V.M. Baker who was called away on emergency business. After marriage, she moved her membership and worked in ministry with the Sewing Circle and singing in the choir at Martin Temple, COGIC (under Eld. L.H. Clark, Sr.). Two years later they celebrated their first child, David, followed by a daughter, Quinetta, and their final son, Samuel. The family moved to Greater Holy Temple, (Bishop C.N. Rucker) until Elder Knox was called to begin a mission and founded St. Paul’s COGIC. As the children grew up in the early 60s, she worked at Lake City Army Ammunition plant as a production worker for approximately 5 years. With the encouragement of her husband, she left Lake City and became a full-time homemaker. At this time David was employed at Bendix Corporation. To utilize her garment alteration skills, she worked under contract for Arrow Cleaners in her home. The owner, Bob Gershon along with his son Bruce brought garments to the house for alterations and repairs on leather and suede coats. Some of Arrow Cleaners’ customers included celebrities, including Bill Cosby, Warren Beatty, Cher, Ralph Lauren, and Regis Philbin. She became the first homeowner of a White Power Sewing machine. She worked as a foster parent for Jackson County with many children in the Greater Kansas City area and as a result, started a Christian in-home daycare for working mothers. She assisted her husband who founded Deliverance Temple COGIC in 1971. The family permanently moved to Springfield MO during Christmas of 1974. Deliverance Temple COGIC was in its third year of development on Division Street at that time and she came in with a big smile, open arms, a spiritual voice, and experienced hands in leadership. She taught Sunday School, worked with the Prison Ministry in Fordland and MCFP Springfield touching many lives of men & women across the Ozarks. Lady Bobbie is survived by her dutiful husband of 68 years, Bishop David Knox, Jr., her three children, David (Darcelle), Quinetta Williams, Samuel (Tyra) Knox, and her grandchildren (grouped by parent), Elaine Rand, Crystal Willis, David M.D. Spearman, D’Nathan Knox, Judah Knox, Quinta Williams, and Bradley Knox along with a host of great grands, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.
Order of Service Officiant: Bishop Clifford A. Jackson
Prelate: Central Eccesical Jurisdiction of Missouri Pastor: St. Paul’s Monumential, COGIC, Kansas City, MO
Prelude: Min. Ronnie Jackson (Kansas City, MO) and Bro. Augustus McNair, Jr. (Omaha, NE) Processional: The Family of Lady Bobbie Knox Scripture Readings: Old Testament: Proverbs 31:10 New Testament: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Invocation: Min. Cynthia Collins Celebration in Song: Urban Praise Acknowledgements & Resolutions: Dr. Allenda Wilson and Min. Regina Rogers Expressions of Love: Selected Clergy & Close Friends Celebration of Song: Sis Brecka Henderson Words of Encouragement: Bishop Lemuel F. Thuston,
Chairman: General Assembly, Church of God In Christ, Inc., Prelate: Kansas East Jurisdiction of Kansas Pastor, Boone Tabernalce COGIC Kansas City, MO
Photo/Video Presentation Eulogy: Rev. Dr. Winston Larry Recessional: Family of Bobbie Knox
courtesy of
Randy Bacon photography
Family Acknowledgement
The family of Lady Bobbie Lee Knox, would like to thank each and every one of you for every act of kindness extended to us. We are so grateful for the heartfelt prayer, love, concern, and other expressions of sympathy shown during this time of bereavement. A special thanks to the Deliverance Temple Ministries church family, Washington Avenue Baptist Church for their ushers, and the many family, friends and loved ones who journeyed from far and near, You have indeed touched our hearts and made our spirits humble. We ask for your continued prayer and thoughts. May God richly bless you and keep you in His loving care.
Active Pallbearers
Paul Clark, Bradley Knox, Qurae Williams, Kerry Biles, Milan Rivette, Julian Rivette
Honorary Pallbearers
Howard Fewell, Willie Carter, Bruce Looney, Charles Clark, James Tucker, Rod Smith, Terry Smith, Sean Mabins, Michael Clark, David M.D. Spearman, D’Nathan Knox, Judah Knox
Interment
Lincoln Memorial Cemetery Chestnut Expressway and Barnes Avenue, Springfield MO
Memorial Repast
Deliverance Temple Ministries, 2101 W. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield MO
Arrangements Entrusted to
Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, Springfield MO
Program design by DKnox Ministries – 816. 602.7404