December 30, 2010

Johnnie Knight, 87, of South Quay Road, former owner and operator of Knight’s Garage in the Holland area of Suffolk, died Dec. 30, 2010, at a local rehabilitation facility.

Mr. Knight was born Aug. 20, 1923, to the late Mrs. Odis Lee Knight and John Knight in Holland. He grew up “on the hill.”

He attended the public schools system of Nansemond County. He attended Virginia State University, leaving there to join the Army. He is a veteran of World War II.

He married his childhood sweetheart, Katie Copeland, and they were married for more than 64 years. He joined Laurel Hill United Church of Christ in Suffolk and remained there until his passing. He was a deacon, sexton, superintendent and treasurer at the church. He was a member and superintendent of the Middle District Community Christmas service for 63 years.

Johnnie was a charter and lifelong member of the Holland Holy Neck Civic League and of the Nansemond County Training School Alumni Association. He was a charter member and adjutant officer of the American Legion Post No. 315.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, James (Hawk) Knight, and sister-in-law, Jennie Alice Knight. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Mrs. Katie C. Knight; five children, Joan Carter Marsh (Julian), of Decatur, Ill., Julpenia Gardener Hill (Waddell), of Chattanooga, Tenn., Johnnie Knight (Naomi), of Gates, N.C., Maj. (Ret.) Andri Avon Knight (Sandra Diane Boone), of Seoul, South Korea, and Gwendolyn Darcell Johnson Mitchell of Suffolk.

He is survived by 13 grandchildren, Lt. Col. Katrina Gardener Pillow, Reid Eric Carter Sr., Ronnell Douglas Gardener, Andri Avon Knight, Brandon Knight, Ester Knight, Jonathan Gardener and Katie L. Mitchell. They are also survived by 15 great-grandchildren, step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of community and church friends and neighbors.

He is also survived by three brothers-in-law, James Copeland (Lula), Enoch Copeland (Jean) and B.J. Holland. Additionally, he is survived by two sisters-in-law, Hilda Copeland Abram and Gloria Copeland.

The family may be contacted at 657-6719. The funeral will be held on Jan. 1 at 2 p.m. at Laurel Hill United Church of Christ in Suffolk. The body will lie in state from noon until the hour of service.

Funeral arrangements will be handled by Peebles Funeral Home in Suffolk.