James Knaff

Elder James Edward Knaff Sr. was born in Oliver Springs, Tennessee on November 5, 1948, to the late Charley Knaff and Conetta McKinney Knaff. He was married to Anna Marie Henley Knaff for 50 years. He departed this life to be with the Lord on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2023, at the Blount Memorial Hospital. He worked for over forty-two years for the nuclear facilities in
Oak Ridge, Tennessee as a sheet metal mechanic and later as a chemical operator until he retired in the fall of 2007. He was licensed to preach on February 12, 1984.

He loved God, family, good food, watching football, and classic cars. He loved to praise the Lord and was not ashamed of the God he served. He was affectionately known as "Daddy Knaff" to goddaughter Nastasha Carr and other godchildren Chasmin Brooks, Chastity Brooks and Kira Gore. His host of beloved, chosen grandchildren called him "Pop" or "Paw". He cherished special
relationships with young men he called sons: Tyrus Gilmore, Julian Sanders, and Keith Eskridge. He playfully teased them about their sports team choices. His favorite saying was, "I may not know what the future holds; but I thank God I know He holds my future in his mighty hands."

He leaves to mourn his wife Anna Marie Knaff, sons Eric Knaff, Alcoa, TN, Jimmy (Leslie) Knaff, Jr., Alcoa, TN, granddaughter Paytyn Knaff and step-grandson Austin Spranger, chosen daughter Angelia (Tyrus) Gilmore, Powell, TN, and devoted goddaughter Natasha Carr, Maryville, TN. Elder Knaff was preceded in death by sister Marietta Knaff and Tommie Dean Knaff. He leaves twin brother Charles (Sandra) Knaff, sisters Bobbie Jane Hyman, Karns, TN, Martha Rebecca Robinson, Oak Ridge, TN, and Marie Ann (Eddie) Womble, Chattanooga, TN, sisters-in-law Mary Wilson,
Knoxville, TN and Gail (Richard) Gallaher, Rockwood, TN, brothers-in-law, William Henley, Rockwood, TN, Ernest (Olga) Henley, Knoxville, TN, Paul (Perrie) Henley, Knoxville, TN, Terry (Constance) Henley, Knoxville, TN, along with a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends, special cousins Vickie and George Jett. He cherished his long and special friendship with Rev. James Brady Springs, Rockwood, TN.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday November 29, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Alcoa with funeral service to follow. Interment will be Thursday at 11:00 a.m. November 30, 2023 at Roane Memorial Gardens Rockwood, TN. www.foothillsfh.com