Charles Alonza "Lon" Knowles

Charles Alonza ("Lon") Knowles, Sr. of Griffin, Georgia, died peacefully at his home on February 27, 2025. Lon was born on November 23, 1932, in Phenix City, Alabama, as the only son of Carl Alton Knowles and Ruth Lane Knowles. He will be remembered as a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, trusted public servant, faithful member and leader of Griffin First United Methodist Church, distinguished Georgia banker, and a sage mentor and friend to so many.
Lon grew up in Phenix City with his mother and father working in the family business, where he developed a very early disposition to hard work, perseverance, and fortitude. In high school, Lon was a scholar athlete, excelling as a shooting guard on his high school's basketball team. While assisting his mother and father in the family business, Lon put himself through college, initially attending Troy University and ultimately matriculating at, and graduating from, Auburn University in 1954. Lon's fond experiences and time at Auburn led him to a lifelong passion for the University, and he played an instrumental role in the recruitment of Georgia high school football players to Auburn for many years.
Lon's insuperable work ethic and dedication created several professional opportunities for him early in his banking career. At age 32, Lon was recruited from Fourth National Bank (later known as Trust Company Bank, SunTrust Bank, Truist Bank), where he served as Vice President, to Griffin, Georgia, to assume the role as President of First National Bank of Griffin where he served in that capacity for thirty-seven years, retiring in 2002. During his outstanding leadership as President of First National Bank of Griffin, its footprint grew by multiple branches in several counties and positively impacted the lives of so many in the community, including customers, employees, and shareholders.
In addition to Lon's devotion to leading First National Bank, Lon was passionate about horses - American Quarter Horses in particular. He loved and respected their strength, speed, confidence, grace, stature, and magnificence - so much that he raised and bred Quarter Horses for many years on his family farm, ultimately donating several of his horses to The University of Georgia Equine Program throughout the years.
Lon held numerous leadership roles in Griffin and the State of Georgia, including his appointment to the State of Georgia's Board of Industry and Trade in 1980 by then Georgia Governor George Busbee. He also served as a distinguished Director on the Board of Directors of Griffin based 1888 Mills for almost thirty years.
Lon was preceded in death by Sarah Elise Floyd Knowles, his mother and father, and his son Charles ("Chuck") Alonza Knowles, Jr. He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife, Myra, daughter Lesa (Brad) Davis, daughter-in-law Jane Knowles; grandchildren Clay (Katherine) Davis, Anna Davis, Kris (Kelley) Knowles, and Patrick (Chandler) Knowles, along with four great grand-children Cameron Davis, Harrison Davis, Watson Knowles, and Charlotte Knowles. He is also survived by his step-children, Lee (Lee) Thomas (Elizabeth and Laura) and Vin (Hattie) Thomas (Palmer and Adair).
A visitation will be held on Friday, March 7 at 10:30 a.m. at Griffin First United Methodist Church, followed by a service honoring Lon at 11.30 a.m. in the Griffin First United Methodist Church sanctuary.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Griffin First United Methodist Church.