Mildred Lee Knight

1931 - 2025

LANCASTER, S.C. - Mrs. Mildred Lee Threatt Knight, age 94, passed away Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, just three weeks after her beloved husband, Hazel.
She was born March 3, 1931, a daughter of the late Peter Lawrence Threatt and the late Myrtle Catoe Threatt. She graduated from Buford High School in 1948 when there were only eleven grades. She then attended Columbia Commercial College and went to work at Springs Costumer Service when it was located in downtown Lancaster. That is where she was introduced to the love of her life, Hazel B. Knight by his uncle, Crawford Lynn.
She was only employed by Springs for a short while when she left to be the office manager at The Lancaster News where she worked for seventeen years. She left there and opened her own business, Lisa's, on Main Street. There she used her talents to help people create beautiful handmade crafts or purchase unique gifts for their loved ones. This is where she hosted decorative painting, basket weaving and crochet classes and forged lifelong friendships. She closed the doors of her shop in 1988 to pursue her life's dream of creating a beautiful homeplace on Craig Farm Road. She and Hazel spent many happy hours preparing the land for their dream home. Then when construction began, they acted as contractors. When the construction was complete, Mildred painted and stained every surface in the house except the floors. She sewed curtains and pillows by hand and decorated her home with her timeless understated style. She spent hours making her yard into a showplace. She planted flowers, shrubs and trees. She cut the grass, laid pavers and built a retaining wall. She literally worked from sunup until sundown. Her family would have to make her come inside when it started getting dark. When people encouraged her to slow down, she would laugh and say that her father always said hard work never killed anybody. She met many of her neighbors while working in her yard and forged friendships on her front porch during iced tea breaks.
She was an active member at Bethlehem Baptist Church for most of her life. She sang in the choir, attended Sunday School, and served on the bereavement and buildings and grounds committees. In 1984, she moved her letter to First Baptist Church in Lancaster and continued to use her talents to serve the Lord as long as she was able. There she was on the Harvest Committee and the buildings and grounds committee. She helped with Oasis, attended Sunday School and joined a ladies' circle.
She loved all things outdoors and joined The Evening Garden Club and was a member until they disbanded. There she met some of the best friends she ever had. They shared her love of growing things. They hosted flower shows, and Mildred won the prizes many times.
In 1997, Mildred planned the Buford High School Class of 1947 50th class reunion. That event kindled old friendships. They had such a wonderful time that they continued to meet once a month for many years until her classmates became too frail to travel.
Mildred is survived by her daughter, Lisa, several nieces and nephews, and her two cats, Gubie and Opie.
She is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, W.L Threat, Bruce Threatt, and Millon Threatt and three sisters, Wilma Threatt, Argie Threatt Godfrey and Roberta Threatt Wall.
A service celebrating the life of Mildred and her beloved husband Hazel will be published at a later date.
Lisa would especially like to thank following people: Alexis, Marcella and Angel of Hospice of Lancaster for the love and kindness they showed both of her parents. Thank you to Cathy and Norma Jean for being there to help and shining your lights during this dark time. Thank you to Erica for your support, guidance and contacts, and finally thank you to friends and neighbors who showed up and helped during our weakest moments. You will never how much your actions of kindness has impacted this family. Lisa would also like to say a special thanks to her cousin Karen and her husband Steve for all their love and support over the last few weeks and months.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church in Lancaster and your local animal shelters.
An online guest register is available on the obituaries page at burgessfunerals.com.
Burgess Funeral Home is caring for the family of Mrs. Mildred Knight.