ROBERT R. KNIGHT III

Mr. Robert Renold Knight III, also known as "Robbie" or "Rob," was born July 22, 1978, in Petersburg, Va., to Robert Renold Knight, Jr. and Betty Harris Knight. He was the oldest of three children. Robert was unexpectedly called home to the heavenly kingdom on Saturday, March 5, 2016.

Robert spent all of his childhood living in Petersburg, Va. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age and joined Little Zion R.Z.U.A. Church in Alberta, Va. Later, he became a member at First Baptist Church, Harrison Street, in Petersburg, Va.

Robert was very athletic and had a passion for playing basketball. He started playing basketball at Peabody Middle School and continued playing at Petersburg High School. Robert played basketball recreationally with a host of family and friends. He also demonstrated his athletic ability by playing Little League baseball and achieving his Black Belt in Karate.

Robert graduated from Petersburg High School in 1996. He attended Louisburg College in North Carolina and Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va., where he graduated and received his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology.

Robert was a wonderful, amazing and loyal father, fiancé, son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend. He took pride in being a good and dependable man. Robert would do anything for the people he loved. If you needed a friend, he was there. If you needed a shoulder, he was there. Robert's heart and spirit will always be remembered for being unbelievably huge. He was often referred to as the gentle giant. Robert Knight III touched everyone's life in many different ways.

Robert was truly a family man who loved spending time with his family and adored his children. He was a hard working entrepreneur who showed the skills, passion and perseverance to succeed in various endeavors as his creativity lead him to understand a range of industries and opportunities.

Rob leaves to cherish his precious memory, one beautiful daughter, A'Shyia Knight; one handsome son, Robert Renold Knight IV; two marvelous sons-in-love, Tariq Muhammad and Khayri Muhammad of Chester, Va.; fiancée, Tauheedah Muhammad of Chester, Va.; father, Robert Renold Knight, Jr. and mother, Betty Harris Knight, both of Petersburg, Va; two devoted sisters, Valerie Knight of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Vanessa Howard (Charles) of Durham, N.C.; grandmother, Sirreather Harris of Lawrenceville, Va.; one adorable nephew, Charles Howard II; six aunts, Nancy Hicks (James) and Elizabeth Collins of Lawrenceville, Va.; Mildred Russell of Richmond, Va., Barbara Drummond (Floyd) of Alberta, Va., Shirley Knight of Bronx, N.Y., and Emma Maxine Knight Ransom (Bruce) of Pendleton, S.C.; one uncle, William Harris (Cinder) of Virginia Beach, Va; godmother, Joyce Washington (Raymond) of Richmond, Va.; and a host of relatives and friends.

Services for Mr. Robert R. Knight III will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 12, 2016, at First Baptist Church, 238 Harrison Street, Petersburg, Va., the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Tillman, pastor, eulogist. Interment to follow at Southlawn Memorial Park.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mr. Knight at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, Va., (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.