Horace Eugene Knight

STILSON, Ga. -- Horace Eugene Knight, aged 83, died August 7th at Ogeechee Area Hospice.
Horace was a retired farmer and a former basketball and baseball coach and educator. A graduate of the University of Georgia class of 1956 with a degree in physical education, Horace was a scholarship baseball player as a catcher, and as a basketball scholarship recipient, he was the leading scorer on the Bulldogs basketball team and served as the team captain.
Horace had always known the love of his life, Leona Newman, but they grew closer during their teenage years. They would see each other at various school and church events and had their first official date at the age of 16. Their relationship deepened through their college years and they were married in 1956. They moved to Charlton County, Georgia, where Horace was the basketball and baseball coach and an educator at Folkston High School, and Leona taught at the elementary school.
Their first son, Hal Eugene, was born while they lived in Folkston. Hal was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and the young family returned home to Stilson, Georgia, to be with family as they coped with Hal's illness. Despite the best professional care, Hal died in 1961 at age 2.
Horace returned to the family farm and began a new career in farming. Leona began teaching at Stilson Elementary School. They were blessed with three more children and developed even deeper roots and lifelong relationships in the Stilson community.
Horace was a member of the Lanes Primitive Baptist Church and served as church clerk for many years. He was always available to serve where needed and in his younger years especially enjoyed supporting the youth group in their activities and travel.
He thoroughly enjoyed gospel music and owned quite a collection of his favorite quartets. He could talk at length, and with delight, about J.D. Sumner, Vestal Goodman and The Gaither Vocal Band, among others.
Horace is survived by his wife of 62 years, Leona Elizabeth Newman Knight. He is also survived by three children, Suzanne Smith, Hank Knight (Trisha) and Ernie Knight (Norma Jean). Grandchildren are Alison Santana, Emily Gibson and Hal Knight; Tabithea Smith-Rentz, Troy Smith and Harlee Daniel; Caitlin Miles, Shianne Miles, Sabrina Miles and Jamie Hackle. Great-grandchildren include Nyla Moore, Devin Moore and Addison Francis; Colton Rushing, Ava Santana and Emarie Santana; Grace Gibson and Ethan Gibson; Brennyn Smith, Cade Smith and Holden Smith; and Haley Knight.
The family will receive visitors on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. in The Heritage Sanctuary at Lanes Primitive Baptist Church.
The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. in the church sanctuary with Elder Lee Chambers officiating, assisted by Elder Dean Robbins and Elder Emerson Proctor. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Hal Knight, Adam Newman, Jimmy Phillips, Winston Clark, Stewart Bennett and Kenneth Knight.
Honorary pallbearers will be Clinton Page, Walter Gibson, Jessie Holloway, Willie Knight, Earl Peebles, Robert Peebles, Lavern Sanders, Greg Sikes and Wade McElveen.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, GA 30459.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.

Statesboro Herald, August 9, 2018
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