1923

Novella Winifred Knotts Catoe was born May 15, 1923 in Lamar, South Carolina, a daughter of Elijah Monroe Knotts and Mary Jane Knotts Knotts.

1930 Census Information:

According to the United States census reported on April 3, 1930, Munroe Knoots (53) rented a home in Fairfield County, South Carolina with his wife, Mary Knoots (45). It was reported that he was married at 23 year old and she was 15. Also in their home were their children; Adelaid Knoots (19), Woodrow Knoots (15), Sara Knoots (12), Ruby Knoots (10), Korella Knoots (6); Craeighton Knoots (24) and his wife; Allie Knoots (18), they were married when he was 24 and she was 18. Also his son-in-law; Creed Jefcoat (29) and his wife; Bertis Jefcoat (26) they were married when he was 26 and she was 23; and their son Munroe Jefcoat (1). All family members were reported to have been born in South Carolina. Munroe was a bobbin hand at the cotton mill, Adelaid was a spinner at the cotton mill, Woodrow was a sweeper at the cotton mill, Craeighton was a section hand at the cotton mill, Allie was a spinner at the cotton mill, Creed was a oiler at the cotton mill, and Bertis was a spinner at the cotton mill.

1940 Census Information:

According to the United States census reported on April 15, 1940, Mary J Knotts (55) rented a home in Winnsboro Mills, Fairfield County, South Carolina with her children; Novella Knotts (16), Beatrice Jeffecoat (35), Woodrow Knotts (25) and Ruby Lathan (20); daughter-in-law, Bertie Knotts (21); son-in-law, Edward L Lathan (33); and grandchildren; Monroe Jeffecoat (11), Mary Jeffecoat (4), Rudolph Jeffecoat (2), and Creigdell Knotts (1). All family members were reported to have been born in South Carolina, and all family members that were born lived in the same house, except for Bertie Knotts who lived in rural, Colleton County, South Carolina. Beatrice Jeffecoat was a spinner at the cotton mill, Woodrow was a doffer at the cotton mill, Edward L Lathan was a frame hand at the cotton mill.

2020

On October 20, 2024, Novella Catoe was mentioned as a living grandmother in the obituary of Brooke Alaine Catoe.

CAMDEN – A private burial for Novella Winifred Catoe, 97, was held in Forest Lawn Memorial Park on December 7.  Her children honored her request by announcing her death after burial.    

Mrs. Catoe, wife of the late John Woodrow Catoe, passed away at home on Friday, December 4, 2020.  Born in Lamar on May 15, 1923, she was the youngest daughter of the late Elijah Monroe Knotts and Mary Jane Knotts.  She retired from Hermitage Mill in Camden and attended Camden Free Will Baptist Church where she played piano into her nineties.  Before Alzheimer’s dementia, Mrs. Catoe enjoyed crocheting, embroidery, reading and cooking.

Surviving are her children, Brenda Peters, Jane West, Bruce Catoe (Karen) and Sue (Gene) Hornsby; fourteen grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. 

Mrs. Catoe was predeceased by a son, John W. Catoe, Jr., a granddaughter, Brooke Catoe, a great-grandson, Hunter Hornsby, a son-in-law, James A. Peters, three brothers, Bill Knotts, Woodrow Knotts and Creighton Knotts and five sisters, Ruby Bailey, Beatrice Jeffcoat, Sue Sims, Deuce Knotts and Adelaide Knotts.

The family would like to express their love and gratitude to G. Moore and Venus Clark, who were tremendous sources of inspiration, comfort and care.  Their friendship and deep abiding love for Mrs. Catoe and her family was evident in the numerous acts of kindness performed by each of them.

Sincere appreciation is extended to the dedicated staff of Compassionate Care Hospice: social worker Shawn Reinhart, nurse practitioner Jacob Shaw, nurses Ali Sullivan and Annabelle Outlaw and Chaplain Michael Hilliard who all became “extended” family during Mrs. Catoe’s years of hospice care.  You are saints, one and all, and the family hopes you know how much you are appreciated.

Special thanks to Teresa Hinton of Compassionate Care Hospice, absolutely the best CNA the family could have ever hoped for, who cared for Mrs. Catoe with true compassion and love while allowing her to maintain her dignity.  The family feels blessed beyond measure – God’s grace has certainly been felt by having Teresa in their lives; she brought much joy and laughter into Mrs. Catoe’s life and her family will be forever grateful.

Matthew 25:40 “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did it for Me.”

Memorial donations may be made to Camden Free Will Baptist Church, 1205 Gardner Street, Camden SC 29020.

2024

On August 28, 2024, Novela Winifred Catoe was mentioned as the deceased mother in the obituary of Bruce Allen Catoe.