Wallis Ann Knotts' Obituary
Wallis Ann Knotts Obituary
Wallis Ann Knotts, my mother was the craziest courageous, fiercely fearless, risky risk-taking, intensely loving, God fearing woman I know. From the moment my mother came into this world, she was an alpha female, the leader of the pack, with royalty running through her veins from the House of Orange in the Netherlands and the Powhatan Tribe of Algonquian Native American Indians of Virginia. As the oldest of eight, she helped raise her siblings, and made their safety, education, and general well-being throughout life a top priority.
Wali Ann cherished being an “Anderson Indian” in Anderson High School, Indiana, and went on to obtain bachelor’s degrees in business and accounting at Ball State University, but she didn’t stop there! Mom went on to become a proud Michigan Wolverine and earned her master’s in business from the University of Michigan.
Around the age of 27, Wali Ann traveled to Hawai’i to visit her Chinese brothers and sisters who she established lifelong relationships with while tutoring them in English at Ball State University. She came to Hawai’i with a suitcase, fell in love with the Hawaiian people and culture, and stayed. She worked for AFSCME, and not long after became the CEO for The Queen’s Federal Credit Union from which she would retire after a stroke in 2000.
While working at AFSCME, my mom met my father, and I came along shortly after. Mom poured out her profound love for the Hawaiian culture on me and made sure that it would be a prominent part of my life. Thus, at the age of two, I started private hula lessons with Joan Lindsey at her house in Pearl City: and then, at the age of four mom moved me to Halau Hula ‘O Maiki where mom’s love for hula and culture blossomed. She worked hard at hula, but never quite got the hang of moving her hips correctly, so once I started kahiko (ancient Hawaiian dance) mom took a backseat and stopped dancing. Mom was a faithful servant of our Father and attended Gospel of Salvation or First Assembly of God at Red Hill faithfully every Sunday. Her last words to her mo’opuna (grandchildren) were, “Believe in Jesus Christ, I love you.”
Wallis Ann Knotts is survived by her sisters Karen Carpenter and Terrie-jo Buck, her brothers Robert “Bob” Knotts, Michael Knotts, Kevin Knotts, and Douglas “Ronnie” Knotts; her daughter Jen-ai Knotts; her grandchildren Jordan “Kamalu” Bullard, Jayden “Kahoku” Bullard, and Jennae “Keilana” Bullard; her great-grandchildren Serentiy Meyers-Bullard, Kamaile Bullard, and Scarlett Bullard.
Aloha ‘oe mom, until we meet again. Forever in our hearts, we love you. Services: Celebration of Life is on Sunday, July 7th at Yokohama Bay (Kaena Point) at 7am - Whenever; and then, on
Saturday, July 13th at Aunty Karen's farm in Indiana.
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