Dixie Griffith and Karen Knotts Honor Their Daddies
As I mentioned in an earlier post, Andy Griffith’s daughter Dixie and Don Knotts’ daughter Karen participated in the Mayberry ♥ I Love Lucy Days that Ray and I recently attended in Granville, Tennessee. On Saturday evening, we attended a panel discussion with Dixie Griffith, Karen Knotts, and Michelle Bryso, who is a tribute artist portraying Daphne, one of the “Fun Girls” who appeared in a few episodes of The Andy Griffith Show. Dixie Griffith is also a tribute artist. She portrays Skippy, the other “Fun Girl.”
From left to right: Dixie Griffith and Michelle Bryso, dressed as the “Fun Girls,” and Karen Knotts
Last year Allan Newsome, who is a tribute artist portraying Floyd Lawson the barber, interviewed Dixie Griffith in Granville’s United Methodist Church.
Dixie Griffith and Allan Newsome at the 2023 Mayberry ♥ I Love Lucy Days
Ray and I were excited to meet Dixie after Newsome interviewed her last year. Over the last 48 years, I have watched Ray bravely ask several famous people for their autographs, so I wasn’t surprised last year when I saw him asking Dixie Griffith for hers. I walked up just as she started to sign his little slip of paper. When she asked if she should make the autograph for me, too, I said yes. When I told her my name, she asked, “Like Charlene Darling?” That was fun.
I was impressed both last year and this year by her humility. This year we introduced ourselves to her again. When I told her my name this time, she said, “I should get your autograph.”
During this year’s panel discussion with the “Fun Girls” and Karen Knotts, we learned about how Karen developed her one-woman comedy performance called Tied Up in Knotts. We have not seen the show, so I can’t recommend it, but I do love her quote about it on her website:
“When my father, Don Knotts, passed away in February 2006, I wanted to pay tribute to him in the way I knew him best: as an amazing, loving dad. It’s true that Don Knotts was one of the greatest and most beloved comedic actors of his generation, with many awards to his credit! However, in my one-woman show TIED UP IN KNOTTS!, I try to capture the essence of Don, the man, because I always thought he was the funniest when he was just being himself.”
Ray and I enjoyed meeting Karen Knotts during one of the Mayberry ♥ I Love Lucy Days events.
Karen Knotts and me
Both Karen Knotts and Dixie Griffith are attempting to do something that is dear to God’s heart. They are honoring their fathers. While I was rearing our children, I didn’t realize how important it was for me to model honoring my father and mother for my children. As an adult, I have realized how important that lifelong honoring is to our Heavenly Father.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord,
for this is right.
Honor your father and mother
(which is the first commandment with a promise),
so that it may be well with you,
and that you may live long on the earth.
Ephesians 6:1-3