Emily Kaye Knight

Published 4:33 pm Friday, September 13, 2024

Emily Kaye Knight passed away on September 4, 2024, in Charlottesville, Virginia. She was born in Suffolk, Virginia on July 3, 1953, the daughter of the late Willie Carey Knight and Margaret Anne Stedman Taylor Knight. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by two of her four sisters, Betty Anne Knight Bryant (Walter) and Billie Taylor Knight McCray (surviving brother-in-law Bob). She is also survived by her sisters, Patsy Ruth Knight Privott (Dewey) and Nancy Carolyn Knight Parsons as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was also loved deeply by several dear friends as well as her sorority sisters from Longwood College. From meeting for regular birthday celebrations to book clubs to exploring on adventurous weekend outings and shared vacations, they were together through it all. She graduated from Forest Glen High School and then earned a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Longwood College, where she was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, Alpha Chapter. She earned her master’s degree of education with a specialty in reading from the University of Virginia. She dedicated her entire life to teaching. After graduation, she taught briefly in elementary schools in Suffolk. She then went on to serve as a reading specialist teacher for 27 years at Stone Robinson Elementary School in Charlottesville. Kaye was a talented educator who loved the challenges of educating the next generation and was an advocate for struggling readers of all ages. Kaye was a lifelong learner. She displayed a constant sense of curiosity and was known for her sharp wit and classic sense of style. She was appreciated and enjoyed by all around her. She loved traveling, especially trips to her beloved Michigan as well as the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She also enjoyed nurturing many types of plants and flowers, especially her famous gardenias. She also was an avid collector of sea glass, shells, rocks and pebbles. She displayed a true admiration for all types of nature. In addition, she cherished her family heritage, including her memories from growing up on her father’s peanut farm. College football and basketball seasons were some of her favorite times as she was an enthusiastic UVA Cavaliers fan. She was a lifelong member of the UVA Alumni Association. Kaye lived in Charlottesville for more than 40 years. A private service to honor Kaye’s life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Emerson House Learning, The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Eastern Regional Branch in Charlottesville or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be shared at www.hillandwood.com.