Algie Mae Knox

On December 24, 1922 Ed and Bert Anthony Jones welcomed the birth of a beautiful daughter they named Algie Mae. Nurtured in a Christian environment, Algie Mae gave her life to Christ at a young age. She was a faithful member of St. Paul AME Church where she served as an Usher and was a committed Sunday school attendee of the Women Missionary Class. She was often known to “preach a word from time to time.” She became Mrs. Algie Mae Knox, when she married her knight in shining armor Oddis “Cutie” Knox. They shared a beautiful life together as this union blended a large family of eleven children. Together they made many sacrifices to raise their children based on love, commitment and Christian values. Miss Algie Mae, as she was lovingly called was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and surrogate mother. She was a retired employee of Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia. Filling the void that retirement brought, she later became a grandparent with the Foster Grandparent program. Her love for children was evident as she raised, nurtured, chastised and fed several children in the projects. She preached kindness, respect of self and others. Algie Mae was well known for her own sense of style. Her granddaughters remember her as being “quite the lady”. She always offered wise counsel and inspired everyone who crossed her path. Algie Mae had many interest and talents, but most of all she loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, and friends. But more than that, she loved the Lord and went home to be with Him on Friday, April 6, 2012, at Twin River Health and Rehabilitation Center in Arkadelphia. She was the epitome of the scripture II Timothy 4:7-10 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” Those awaiting her arrival and to welcome her home are her parents, two deceased sons William Lee Fort, Jr., James Lee Fort, a granddaughter Kendall Fort, a great-grandson Tyrie Fort and her beloved Oddis who made his transition on January 3, 2008. She leaves to celebrate and cherish her life’s journey: two sons, Eddie Fort of Arkadelphia, Leon Blackmon and his wife Faye of Los Angeles, CA; one daughter-in-law, Aljewell Fort of Arkadelphia; her step-children, Patsy (Thurman) Dixon of Missouri City, TX, Tommy (Carolyn) Knox of Arkadelphia, AR, Oddis (Joyce) Knox of Missouri City, TX, Rickey (Sandra) Knox of Dallas, TX; fourteen grandchildren, thirty-two great-grandchildren, nine great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, a special friend Francis Middleton, numerous friends and the St. Paul AME Church family. Mrs. Knox will lie in repose on Thursday, April 12, 2012 from 2:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Family and friends will gather from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. The home going celebration will convene at 2: 00 p.m. on Friday, April 13, 2012 at St. Paul AME Church where Rev. T. W. Scott is the pastor and celebrant. Dr. Lewis A. Shepherd, Jr., will officiate. The committal service and final resting place will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.