Leroy McKnight

A Time to be born….. Leroy McKnight, son of the late Elfair McKnight and Mary Jane McKnight was born on May 7, 1933 in Sumter County, South Carolina. He was the fourth of fourteen children. A Time to grow….. Leroy was reared with the support of a loving, Christian Family. He accepted Christ at a young age. He attended Johnson High School in Sumter County. He worked as a farmer in South Carolina. He enjoyed life. He played in the community baseball games. He was an avid fan of the Baltimore Orioles and the Ravens. He enjoyed fishing and other outdoor sports. He loved his various cars and was proud to have purchased a motorcycle. He enjoyed enjoyed his home cook meals and butter pecan ice cream. He was a very fashionable man who loved to style in his hats. He and his wife moved to Baltimore, Maryland in the spring of 1956. He was employed at Chesapeake Paperboard Company in 1956 as a machinery operator where he retired in 1994. A Time to Love…… Leroy married his South Carolina sweet heart Pearl White on August 27, 1953 and from this loving union were born six beautiful children. Betty Ann McKnight (preceded him in death). Leroy enjoyed and cherished his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He faithfully supported his family. He enjoyed family vacations, holidays and family gatherings. He was very compassionate with his family in making sure we took care of each other. He loved and enjoyed his siblings. He was truly grateful at all times for whatever he was given. A Time to Worship…. Leroy was a man who loved God, and was a man who knew what prayer could do. He became a member of John Wesley United Methodist Church in 1968 under the leadership of Rev. J. Lloyd Garrison. He served as a faithful Usher of the Senior Usher Board, United Methodist Men, Parent Club and the Greeter’s Ministry. Leroy attended Father of the year by the Adult Fellowship of John Wesley in June of 1997. Leroy organized a family bible study for his family to be held every first Saturday of the month. He enjoyed hearing the Gospel Choir sing “There is a Bright Side Somewhere”. A Time to Die… God saw that the time for rest was needed and the hills were hard to climb. He asked the Lord to give him rest after the family had their last prayer together with him. Leroy gently took the Master’s hand on Sunday, October 9, 2011 at 11:00a.m. When he got on the morning train and went home to be with the Lord. A Time to Mourn… He leaves to rejoice in his life. His devoted wife, Pearl McKnight; his five children, Leonard McKnight (Barbara), Shirley McKnight, Minister Barbara McKnight-Allen (Robert), Lee McKnight (Maxine) and Maudline (Sheldon); a devoted son-in-law, James McKnight III; sixteen grandchildren (one preceded death) Shawn C. McKnight; fifteen great-children; six sisters Ethel M. Rice, Mary Henry, Beatrice Rice, Virginia McKnight, Elizabeth Gathering and Sally Hardy; one brother, Thomas McKnight; six sister-in-law, Alice McKnight, Ruth McKnight, Nellie McKnight, Robell White and Annie M. White, a host of nieces and nephews; church mother, Corrine Saunders; six godchildren, Sandra Thomas, Felicia Weeks, Minister Sheryl Morsell, Sherriell Stanley, Hilda and Steward James Oliver; church class leader, Ella M. Lawson; and a devoted caring person who assisted with his care, a special friend to him, Joann Lee.

Tributes

Leroy McKnight

May 7, 1933 - October 9, 2011