Essie Cunningham-Knight

1926 - 2014

Essie Mae Cunningham- Knight of Paoli Essie Mae Cunningham Knight, 88, passed away at her home after a lengthy illness on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014. Essie was born in Memorial Hospital in West Chester, on March 7, 1926. She was the eighth child of 14 children born to the late Maude Keith and Fred Cunningham of Paoli. She was predeceased by a daughter, Shirley Pearl Knight, her husband Jesse W. Knight, nine sisters and three brothers including her twin. She was educated in the Tredyffrin Township Public Schools and was a diligent student who enjoyed learning. She later met and married her late husband, Jesse (Buss) Knight of Luray, Va., and the two took up residence in Paoli, where they raised their 11 children. Essie was a working mother who took pride in helping her husband provide for their children. She worked as a presser at Avil's Laundry in Wayne, for close to 28 years, until its closing in 1976. Thereafter she took on odd jobs to include working as a cashier at Atlantic Thrift Markets in Frazer, and as a maintenance supervisor at Unisys, Inc. in Great Valley. In her later years she became interested in working as a caregiver for senior citizens who were terminally ill. To this end she was contracted by Surrey Services in Berwyn and Unlimited Staffing in Downingtown to provide palliative care. Essie was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church in Paoli where her father is slated as one of the founders. She served on their Trustee and Missionary Board and as Pastor's Aide. She also held a membership at St. Paul's Baptist Church in West Chester. She enjoyed attending church and wearing one of her illustrious hats on special occasions and holidays. She also took pleasure in watching baseball games, playing bingo, and going to flea markets and garage sales, and shopping for special outfits for her grandchildren. Essie leaves to cherish her memory one sister, Christine Milbourne of Coatesville; and ten children, Nancy A. Kenner of Coatesville, Jesse W. Knight Jr. of Norristown, Cynthia Lucas of Newark, Del., Irvin C. Knight of Coatesville, Richard G. Knight of Wilmington, Del., Emma L. Knight of Wilmington, Del., Mabel A. Spann of West, Chester, Beverly A. Thomas of Lanham, Md., Gregory E. Knight of Wilmington, Del., and Constance E. Knight-Knight of Paoli; 28 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Essie's life and home-going at 11a.m. with a viewing beginning at 9 a.m., on Wednesday, Sept. 3rd, at St. Paul's Baptist Church, 1 Hagerty Blvd., West Chester, with interment to follow at Philadelphia Memorial Park in Frazer. Uplifting Life Services arranged by DeBaptiste Funeral Homes, Inc. of West Chester and Bryn Mawr, www.DeBaptiste.com; 610-696-4812.