Kenneth Orman Knox Sr.

Kenneth Orman Knox, Sr., 98, a lifelong resident of Columbia, died Sunday, August 9, 2026, at his residence.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with burial to follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the service at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com. Memorials may be made to West End Baptist Church, 900 West 7th Street, Columbia, TN 38401, or to the charity of your choice.

Mr. Knox was born July 27, 1928, in Maury County, Tennessee, to the late W. Spurgeon Knox and Annie Lou Hardison Knox. He graduated from Columbia Central High School in 1946, where he served as vice president of his senior class. He was a lifelong farmer and a former member of First Baptist Church, where he had previously served as director of the Senior Adult Department, was a Sunday School teacher and a deacon. He participated in the founding of West End Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for many years.

On May 23, 1950, he married Ann Rucker Knox, who preceded him in death May 9, 2003.

Mr. Knox was a former president and member of the board of directors of the Maury County Farmers Cooperative and was a member of the Farm Bureau. He enjoyed gardening, traveled to all fifty states and visited several countries in Europe, including Russia, and Africa, including Rwanda, Kenya and Zimbabwe, plus trips to China, Australia, and New Zealand.

Survivors include his children, K.O. Knox, Jr. (Marcia) of Nashville, TN, Gary Knox (Melissa) of Hillsboro, TN, and Katrina Mochamps (Daniel) of Farmington, New Hampshire; four grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; nine step-great-grandchildren; and one step-great-great-grandchild; three nieces, Lynda Potts and Vicki (Steve) Cain, both of Lewisburg, TN, Cindy (Curtis) Clack of Spring City, TN and one nephew, Charlie Rucker of Rockwood, TN.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his sister, Jean Knox Crunk.

Pallbearers will be Nick Baum, Tommy Mayberry, Mike Kofroth, Alan Knox, Brad Knox, and Michael McAnly. Honorary pallbearers will be Leon Dixon and Marlin Church.