Ruth Elizabeth (Myers) Knotts, 92, passed away gently Friday afternoon, June 5th. Her three daughters, Martha Knotts, Marjorie Knotts, and Barbara Kempf were by her side.
Elizabeth is also survived her sister, Rose "Tad" Fleischner of Wooster Ohio; son-in-law, Richard Kempf; granddaughters, Emma, Attie and Hannah Kempf; and beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Fred Knotts Jr.; sister, Bonnie "Bobbie" Poehlmann; and brother, Herbert "Bud" Myers.
Elizabeth was the daughter of Lettie and Samuel Myers of Indianapolis. Elizabeth, known lovingly as "Lib" to her family and friends, was born on December 5. 1916. She was an honor student at Shortridge High School and Butler University, graduating in 1937. She went on to receive a Master Degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan in 1940. After graduating, Lib returned to Indianapolis to teach at Washington High School.
She married Fred in 1950 and the couple moved to Connersville where they raised their three daughters. She was the first woman to serve on the Connersville School Board as well as the first women to teach in the social studies department in Connersville High School. She taught there for 14 years, retiring in 1980. She was an excellent teacher and honored to be one of the first teachers inducted into the Connersville Teacher Hall of Fame. Education was a large part of her life, teaching, constantly reading, and educating herself and others.
She was a tireless volunteer for many organizations in Connersville and Indianapolis. She was founding member of the Rushville Unitarian Fellowship and life long member of All Souls Unitarian Church.
Fred and Lib loved to travel and spent many happy years traveling around the country and the world. Lib "returned" home to Indianapolis in 1989 with Fred happily in tow. In their new home two doors down from Barb, they enjoyed the birth of their grandchildren, frequent visits with their daughters, extended family and countless friends. Lib lost Fred in 1992 but continued to live independently until the last few years when she was a welcome addition in her daughters' homes.
Her life time of achievement, dedication to causes and organizations she believed in, and love of family will continue to be an inspiration to all who have had the good fortune to know her.
During the last years of her life, Lib was fortunate to also have the love, support and care of her "adopted" family Carol and Christy Tincher; Jerri, Hillary, and Gretchen Zortman. Everyone will miss her very much. Visitation will be at Harry W. Moore Funeral Care, 8151 Allisonville Rd from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10th. A memorial service will be held at All Souls Unitarian Church, 5805 East 56th Street at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 12th. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to All Souls Unitarian Church, Butler University or a charity of choice.