KINSTON - Virginia Dare Lewis Knott, "Nano," 83, of 1007 West Road, Kinston, died Saturday, December 29, 2012, surrounded by her loving family. Friends and family are invited to attend funeral services at Gordon Street Christian Church at 11 AM on Wednesday, January 2, 2013, with the Reverend Dr. Mark Benson officiating. After the service, there will be a reception in the fellowship hall of the church. Burial will follow at Westview Cemetery at 2 PM. Virginia was born on January 1, 1929, in Kinston, North Carolina, daughter of Leckler Lewis and Frankie Mae Thornton Lewis. After graduating from Grainger High School, she attended Greensboro College, where she earned a degree in Elementary Education. Virginia taught first grade at Lewis School in Kinston before working as office manager and co-owner of Knott's Warehouse for 60+ years. She also spent many hours cooking and catering with her mother. Virginia was a lifelong member of Gordon Street Christian Church in Kinston where she sang in the choir for many years. She loved working with the children of the church, especially Wonderful Wednesday - her parties and "treat bags" will always be remembered fondly. She attended countless UNC games, always cheering for her beloved Tar Heels. Yearly trips to the beach with her family were cherished, when she looked forward to eating soft shell crabs and clam chowder at her favorite restaurant, The Sanitary Fish Market (Tony's). Christmas was her favorite time of the year, and she especially enjoyed her extensive collection of Santa Clauses. Virginia spent many hours playing in and hosting her bridge club and loved to play any type of card game. She had a tremendous impact on the lives of many people. Virginia was always the life of the party and never had a dull moment. Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Graham Knott, Sr.; her parents, Leckler Lewis and Frankie Mae Thornton Lewis; and special friend and caregiver Evelyn Edwards. She is survived by her son, Henry Graham Knott, Jr. and wife, Vickie, of Kinston; her daughter, Ginger Knott Johnson and husband, Mike, of Kinston; her granddaughters, Ginna Knott Reynolds and husband, Patrick, of Durham, NC, and Laura Graham Knott, of Kinston; her cousin, Maria Caponiti Fiery and husband, Dean, of Arnold, Maryland, and their children Charles Christopher Fiery and Helen Kirsten Fiery; and cousin Kathy Gaskill Clifton and husband, Rob, of Havelock, NC, and her father, Lester Gaskill. The family would like to thank her caregivers Angie Stallings, Doris Lofton, Nicole Holloway, and Candia Hall. The family will receive friends at the home of Mike and Ginger Johnson, 1303 Perry Park Drive, in Kinston. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gordon Street Christian Church, 118 East Gordon Street, Kinston, NC 28501. Edwards Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Sign the guest book at Kinston.com. (Paid obituary)