Surrounded by his loving family, DeLane Knotts (94) peacefully left his Guyton, GA home and entered his Heavenly Mansion on Sunday, January 23, 2022.

The son of Christobell and Leland Knotts, DeLane was born on March 3, 1927, in Neeces, SC.  He was a loving Brother to John, Grover, Mattie Lee and Olivia…all of whom he has been reunited with, as well as his precious Son in Love, Eric Louie.  He was a proud Pentecostal, successful entrepreneur, avid fisherman, doting Dad, and a beloved Patriarch… better known as "Papa K"… to the Five Generation Family Tree he was so devoted to!

With nothing more than a grammar school education and big dreams, DeLane joined the United States Army, where he was stationed at Red River Arsenal in Texarkana, Texas.  Not only did DeLane fondly recall how much he enjoyed cooking for the troops and being the best part of their day… he cherished his time in Texarkana because it was there that he was swept off his feet by the most beautiful girl in the world, Mary Shaver.  In his last days, he loved telling the story of how he knew the moment he saw Mary and her friends walking down the street, that she would be his wife.  And that she did.  When DeLane was discharged, they returned to South Carolina where they built a life together and raised four children, Don Shaffer (Linda), Gina Scott (Jimmy), Dahlia Louie, and Colleen Webb.

In 1962, when working for the Southern Railroad, DeLane was involved in an accident where he lost his right leg.  After a brave fight to save his life, they uprooted their family and moved to Jacksonville, FL to be closer to his brothers and sisters.  With a lack of any formal education and now a missing leg, it was there that the entrepreneurial spirit was born, and they later moved to Augusta, GA where he opened a Mary Carter paint store.  The store was very successful, where he often bragged of selling over 100 gallons to one customer and he continued to proudly sing the "Mary Carter jingle" until the very end.  As successful as that venture was, his decision to move to Rincon and open the first AAMCO Transmission in the region proved to be his greatest achievement as an entrepreneur.  His Savannah AAMCO opened with lines wrapped around the lot… a huge success that later afforded him the luxury of selling the business and living the ultimate retirement life with a second home at Lake Okeechobee, where he could catch more crappie than he could possibly keep!

During his time in Rincon, DeLane, who never met a stranger, dabbled in politics and was elected to the City Council, where his best friend, Carter White served as Mayor.  If he wasn't fishing with another bestie, Doc Riner, you'd find him gardening or serving at Maranatha Assembly of God… a new church he was proud to be an early member of.  He was an Assistant Sunday School Superintendent and often helped as a song leader.  He was always so proud of buying the first "red back" hymn books for the Church and was honored to have recently attended Maranatha's 50 ^th Homecoming Celebration.

Although DeLane's later years were spent in North and South Carolina, his declining mobility and recent dementia led him back to Georgia where he lived with his Granddaughter, Marianne, who provided the same loving care to him that he had given to her all his life.  She hired the most wonderful caregivers that doted on him, and he loved them like family.  "Thank You" will never be enough to acknowledge the care shown to "Papa K" by Joyce Loundy, Eva Goldwire, Mary "Gertie" Scott, Cathy Gobble, Wanda Hall, Lisa Strickland, and Tina Adams…who's final act of love will be to serve as DeLane's Honorary Pallbearers.  A very special thanks to Monica, Sarah, Wendy, and Richard with Kindred Hospice, who were also there for Papa, making each visit a highlight of his day!

Even in the days of great confusion, DeLane never wavered on his love of our Lord and how he knew God was holding his hand.  He found great pleasure in singing and playing his guitar for family and friends and even in his last moments on earth, he would break out in a song about Heaven, where he never forgot a single word.  He was surely ready to go and wanted so badly to meet you there!

"Papa K" leaves behind his Children and 8 Grandchildren:  Donnie (Lori) Shaffer, Marianne (David) Harvey, Keith Shaffer, his namesake, Troy DeLane Mickler, Dana (Patrick) Conley, Tina (Blane) Carter, Lindsay Webb, and Nick Webb (Holly). Great Grandchildren:  EJ Dooner, Taylor Harvey, Donald Shaffer, Spencer Harvey, Landon Coontz, Mary Shaffer, Rachel Shaffer, David Shaffer, Rachel Harvey, Christian Carter, Alexis Carter, and Nolan Webb. Rounding out his Fifth Generation are his Great Great Grands:  Mariah Reddick and Nathan Harvey.  DeLane is also the loving Uncle to Melody Heffernan, Libby Wheeler, Sally Binczak, Wayne Kessler, Renee Kilgallon, Lonnie Ray Tyre, Ronnie Knotts, Layfayette Knotts, Linda Santiago, and Susan Bragan. He has many Great Nieces and Nephews that he loved so much.

DeLane will be laid to final rest on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at Effingham Memorial Gardens, 880 Highway 119, Springfield, GA.  The family will receive friends during a graveside visitation and viewing from, 2:30-3pm with Pastor Richard Smith officiating and Strickland Funeral Home handling the arrangements.  Pallbearers will be his 6 Grandsons.