Barbara Ann Knight

Barbara Knight, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and faithful Disciple of Christ, passed away early in the morning on Sunday, September 21, 2025. At her request, her loving son, Donnie, laid her church clothes out the night before, but God had other plans. He blessed her to pass quickly and peacefully with her much-cherished daughter, Saundré, by her side. Barbara lived 90 beautiful years on this earth, but, seemingly, it was not long enough for the host of friends and family who deeply grieve her passing.
Born Barbara Ann Dillard in Phoenix, Arizona, on December 15, 1934, to Lallie Pearl and Walter David Dillard, Barbara was the third of five children.
The family relocated to Lawton, Oklahoma, where Barbara attended public school and graduated from Douglass High School in 1952.
She married Kennol Knight, the love of her life, in 1958. The couple had three children, Saundré, Michale, and Donald "Donnie" Knight. Kennol passed away in 1989. Cherishing the life they lived together as husband and wife, Barbara carried Kennol's picture, signed "all my love" by him, in her wallet until the day she died. Barbara worked as a homemaker for the early years of her children's lives. With a deep calling and compassion for helping people, Barbara studied to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, which she fulfilled.
In the early 60s, Barbara began working as a nurse for Dr. Eugene A. Owens, the only African American doctor in Lawton, Oklahoma. Later, Barbara began her civil service career in 1970, where she spent over 25 years as a nurse at Reynolds Army Hospital in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. In 1998, Barbara moved to Dallas, Texas, and continued her life's passion as a nurse at Arapaho Medical Clinic for Dr. Sheryl A. Cowan until she retired in 2012. Altogether, Barbara served as a nurse for over 50 years. She loved her job and took a genuine interest in the physical and spiritual well-being of the patients, family, and friends entrusted to her stewardship.
Reared in the tradition of the AME and CME Churches, Barbara dedicated her life to Christ in the 1970s. Living a life of devotion that honored God, for Barbara it was onward and upward in her love for God and people.
Trained under several music teachers, Barbara was a gifted musician. Endowed by her Creator, Barbara sang and played the piano with heart and soul and mentored many musicians in the Lawton area. Serving for over 40 years as Director of Music at Barnett Chapel AME Church, Director Knight was instrumental in forming the children's, youth, and gospel choirs. One of her many achievements at Barnett Chapel AME Church was the recording of the Barnett Chapel Mass Choir's Precious Memories album. True to her calling, Barbara always carried a Methodist Hymnal, a Songs of Zion songbook, and her Bible in her car. In addition to Barbara's devotion to gospel music, Barbara also found time to organize the Junior and Young Adult Usher Boards at Barnett Chapel.
After the move to Dallas in 1997, she joined Hamilton Park United Methodist Church as an affiliate member, where she taught weekly Bible Study at the Forest Green Manor Senior Center for over 10 years. Inspired by her devotion to God and the church, Barbara traveled to Lawton twice monthly to play for Barnett Chapel to fulfill her commitment. She also served as pianist at the early morning services at Hamilton Park UMC through 2019. As Barbara continued to enrich her life in the faith of Jesus Christ, she participated in the Mature Adults Ministry. Blessed by this fellowship, Barbara rarely missed a Mature Adults gathering. She was a welcomed and consistent participant in Reverend Janet Bell Odom's weekly Bible Study. Barbara also participated in the Hamilton Park Path 2 Nourishment (P2N) program, which provides hope to the community about food insecurity. Barbara loved to reach out to program participants to remind them about the upcoming P2N Saturday food ministry. In honoring her commitment to the first Saturday feeding program, the family was intentional in scheduling Barbara's Celebration of Life so that it would not conflict with the P2N program on the first weekend of the month.
Barbara sang in the church choir as often as her health permitted. She led traditional hymns every first Sunday after Holy Communion. On Sunday, September 7, she ministered to the congregation of Hamilton Park UMC for the last time by leading the hymn, "I Know it Was The Blood". The congregation was moved by Barbara's personal testimony of Christ's redeeming power.
She was a confidante and prayer partner to her nine grandchildren, who affectionately called her "Granny." She insisted on her grandchildren's attendance and full participation in church whenever they visited her in her home and even after they reached adulthood. None of her grandchildren could travel any distance without Granny calling them to ask if they had prayed before they started their journey. Whether they had or hadn't, she would always pray God's traveling grace and mercy over them anyway. She absolutely loved and delighted in her great-grandchildren.
Barbara was preceded in death by her mother and father; her husband, Kennol Knight; her older brother, Walter "Junior" Dillard; her son, Michale Gerald Knight; and her great-granddaughter, Eloise Dawnette Knight.
In addition to her living children, Saundré Henderson (Ronald) and Donald "Donnie" Knight, survivors include her sister, Doris J. Davis of Marina, CA; her brother, George Henry Dillard of Atlanta, GA; and her sister, Cherry D. Miller (Frank) of San Diego, CA; her grandchildren – Kendre' Henderson Keys (Brandon), Michale G. Knight II, LaTasha Henderson, Ronald Wesley Henderson, Chauntelle Wood White (Earney), Samuel Alexander Henderson, Delandrea Knight, Caleb Knight (Chelsi); her great-grandchildren – Gabriel Knight, Khamai Alexander Henderson, Khaiana Henderson, Bella Keys, Ellori Knight, Kingston Alexander Keys, Brooklyn White, Asher Alexander Henderson; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and two church families (Hamilton Park UMC and Barnett Chapel AME) who will cherish her memory.
Barbara embraced Psalm 91 as her core scripture. While on Earth, she dwelt in the shadow of the Most High and now lives in His Presence forever.
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