James Alton Knowles, 76, died Wednesday, December 9, 2020. Born in Sampson Co., NC, he had been a Hampton resident for the last 45 years where he had worked at Brake King for many years. He was a longtime member of the Newport News Moose Lodge #1119 and worked there as an administrator for the last 11 years. He always enjoyed karaoke.

Preceded in death by his daughter, Tammy Mendoza; survivors include his wife of 26 years, Sandra K. Knowles; three daughters, Lisa Knowles (Mark Campbell), Crystal Gary, and Michele Cavanaugh (Quentin); three step-children, Terri Blashaw (Bill), Carl Johnson (Kyongcha), and Richard Johnson; a sister, Carolyn Phillips; three brothers, Thomas Knowles, David Knowles (Hilda), and Floyd Knowles (Maggie); thirteen grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be conducted at 4:00 PM, Friday, December 11, 2020 in the R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home chapel by Pastor Rusty Beck.

To watch the service online, please click here or visit the R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home Facebook page.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or by visiting cancer.org.