Staunton and Augusta County lost a pillar of the Christian community when Papa Knopp, as he was known to most, passed away on Monday.
A founder of Community Fellowship Church that spawned Grace Christian School, Paul Black Knopp had contributed much to the area in his 94 years, and still served as a pastor and elder of the church.
An article about Papa Knopp was in yesterday's Staunton News Leader.
Obituary for Paul Black Knopp
Born December 15, 1913, Paul, affectionately known as Papa, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 17, 2008.
In the path of his service to Jesus, he met and married Christine Marie Yahnig on November 27, 1947, who survives (just shy of 61 years). They have 9 sons who survive: John Clayton and his wife Anne Coleman, Joseph Layton and his wife Nina Taylor, David Wesley and his wife Marilyn Miller, Thomas Harry and his wife Barbara Wick, Timothy Larry and his wife Anne Krutulis, Mark Allen and his wife Andrea "Sissy" Fortson, Stephen Paul all of Staunton, Virginia. Nathan Albert and his wife Karen Davis of Ridgeway, Virginia, and Daniel George and his wife Linda Marie Zauner of Richmond, Virginia.
He was born the eldest of 11 children of the late George Henry Knopp and Bessie Field Black Knopp on December 15, 1913. He was predeceased by two brothers, Mark L. Knopp and Dr. James M. Knopp and one sister Alice Rebecca Knopp Phillippe wife of Wilmer Phillippe who survives and a great grandson Matthew Eoin Robson.
He is survived by 4 brothers: J. Philip and his wife Judith, Hiram M. and his wife Jen, Daniel W., and Simon W. and his wife Patsy, all of Staunton, Virginia. He is also survived by 3 sisters: Elizabeth Rodgers of Minden, Nevada, Anna Ruth Rathburn of Staunton, and Rhoda Knopp Mayes wife of Jimmy of Waynesboro.
He also has 27 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren: Paul of Richmond, J. Michael and wife Jen and son Eli of Dayton, Ohio, Issac in Japan, Andrew at Virginia Tech, Aaron, Peter, Caleb, Zachary of Staunton, Drs. Joy and Steven Greer and children Victoria, Rhys, and Teagan of Cape Carteret, North Carolina, Joel and his wife Jeni and children Margeaux, Miller, and Elle of Staunton, Virginia, Samuel and his wife Brandy and children Jonathan, Ethan, and Esther of Greeneville, Tennessee, Nathanael and his wife Jackie and son Gavin of Weyers Cave, Virginia, Christy and her husband Jason Robson and children Tristan, Cooper, and Simon, Melissa and her husband Seth Hankee and son Judah, of Staunton, Virginia, Laura and her husband Tony Avnaim, of Ohio, Benjamin, Emily, Wesley, Jonathan, Hannah and her husband Sam Hickin, Keziah, Elijah, and Isaiah of Staunton, Brittany, Kaitlin, Hunter, and Asher of Ridgeway, Virginia.
He leaves behind a legacy of family and friends who have been touched by his love over many years. His love for the Lord and for life was apparent to all who knew him. His stature was not large but he was a giant of a man. He will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Cornerstone Church of Augusta on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at the church from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, and at other times at the residence.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Christian School, 19 S. Market St., Staunton, VA 24401.
Private family burial will be held at Oaklawn Mausoleum and Memory Gardens.
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