Mr. Gregory L. Knight

Rocky Mount, North Carolina,

Mr. Gregory L. Knight, 65, of Rocky Mount, North Carolina transitioned on Monday, August 11, 2025 at Nash UNC Healthcare.

On Monday, August 11, 2025, God called His faithful servant, Gregory Leon Knight, to the place He has prepared for him. Gregory was the seventh of eight children born to the late Robert and Margaret Knight. He was a devoted husband, a hardworking father, a dedicated brother, a caring nephew and cousin, and a great friend.

Greg was blessed to grow up in the Dunbar Community (Edgecombe County) in a loving family with his siblings - Robert, Mary, Sandra, Doris, Shirley, Bruce, Gloria and Cynthia. Their family was a supportive family whose parents taught them the value of hard work, the importance of family ties, and the joy of living for Christ.

Gregory married the "love of his life," Priscilla Taylor, in 1983. Their marriage of forty-two years has been a beautiful testimony to the love they both shared. Together, they provided for and raised their four children, ten grandchildren and numerous godchildren. They were recently blessed and were excited to know they are going to have Kyrii, another grandchild to love.

During his early years, Greg attended the public schools in Edgecombe County and graduated valedictorian of his class from North Edgecombe High School in 1978. He was a well-rounded student who not only excelled in academics, but was equally competitive and talented in sports. His skills on the basketball floor were known near and far. The late Great Coach Dean Smith saw his talent and recruited him to play on the "Blue & White (Junior Varsity)" Basketball team for the University Of North Carolina Tar Heels with Coach Roy Williams. In one of his more famous games, Greg made a dunk in the middle of the game, breaking the backboard, and splattering glass everywhere. The crowd went "wild," and Carolina won the game!!!!

While at UNC-Chapel Hill, Greg pursued a degree in pre-med. Additionally, he became a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. where he enjoyed a lifelong brotherhood that provided a path to his personal and community development. He was honored to be an "Omega" man, and its membership motivated him to continue his focus on scholarship. He later completed double degrees in Business Administration and Psychology at North Carolina Wesleyan University in Rocky Mount, NC.

Greg was a multi-talented and responsible person that worked to achieve his dreams for himself and for his family. He considered hard work and integrity to be the key elements to success and Greg demonstrated this belief by working diligently until his disability in 2024. Starting as a day laborer on the farm in his pre-teens, to an official chef at Aunt Sarah's Restaurant in his teens, to a line worker at Schlage lot before college, to a manager at Safelight, Cummins and Merck after college, Greg consistently put his whole heart and soul into making a positive difference in the lives of his co-workers. He was one who met you where you were, identified your talents and assisted you in realizing your full potential. He was an engaging person, attentive to the needs of others through personal mentorship.

Greg was a fun-loving person, with uncanny wit and humor that captivated those around him. He jokingly "claimed" to be a trained dancer - in the moves of Bruno Mars and the Melodies of Ed Shearin. Acting as Prince Charming, he would often sweep his daughter, Brittany and granddaughters, Alyssa, Cayla, Chloe and Zurii across the floor.

Greg was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church in the Dunbar Community for several years and later became a member of Word Tabernacle. When he was unable to attend church due to his physical health, he was thankful for the online services at his Beloved Word Tabernacle. He would often share with others the powerful messages of his Pastor, Rev. James D. Gailliard. His thirst and love for God's Word never ceased and he studied God's Word regularly. He and his wife worshipped God in song and praise earnestly until God called him home.

Greg was preceded in death by his parents: Robert and Margaret Knight, two sisters: Shirley Elois Knight and Cynthia Delphine Knight.

We, who are grateful to have been a part of Greg's life, commend him to our Father's keeping. Cherishing his memory of warmth, love, and laughter are his loving wife, Priscilla Taylor Knight, their four children: Rafeal Limon Dickens of Baltimore, Md., Chad Taylor Knight and Brittany Mychal Knight of Rocky Mount, NC and Jordan Gregory (Faith) Knight of Raleigh, NC; Ten grandchildren: Chase, Alyssa, Jamari, Zamari, Chance, Cayla, Chloe , Chastin, Zurii and Adoniis. His siblings: Robert Williams of High Point, NC, Mary D. Knight of Marietta GA, Sandra Knight (Delton) Farmer and Dr. Doris Knight Thorne of Rocky Mount, NC, Bruce W. (Angela) Knight of Battleboro NC, Gloria Knight (Jonathan) McNeil of Bahama, NC. Nephews: Reggie, Tyler and Blake. Nieces: Kimberly, Karisma, Lauren, Michaela, and Maya; one aunt, Brenda Adderly of Galloway, New Jersey; a Mother-in-Love, Estella Edmonds, Scotland, NC., Brothers-in-law, James (Jean) Mills and William Mills. Sisters-In-Law, Linda (Ron) Jones, Costella Battle and Dina Edmonds, a host of nieces and nephews –InLove (Andre, James, Lavelton, Chris, Arthur, Jay, Amy, Patricia, Stacy, Necole, Latoya, Diamond, and Tatiana) and numerous other relatives and friends.

A Visitation for Mr. Knight will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at the H.D. Pope Funeral Home, 325 Nash Street, Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The Omega Psi Phi Conducting Memorial will take place at 6:15 pm. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at Word Tabernacle, 821 Word Plaza, Rocky Mount, North Carolina beginning at 11:00 am. Interment will immediately follow the service in the Impact Pointe Cemetery in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

These professional services have been entrusted to H.D. Pope Funeral Home, located at 325 Nash Street in Rocky Mount, NC.