Charlie Mae Knight
Dateline – Laurens, South Carolina
Charlie Mae Knight, 90, of Laurens, entered eternal rest on May 5, 2023.
Mrs. Charlie Mae Knight was born in Laurens, South Carolina on December 24, 1932 to Mr. Charlie Fuller and Mrs. Arra Lee Fuller.
She attended the public schools of Laurens County. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Education from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. She received her Master’s degree in Education from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina. She also completed additional course work at various colleges and universities throughout her career.
Mrs. Knight was a dedicated educator who touched many lives through her service as a public school teacher. She taught in the following school districts: Laurens District 56, Newberry County, Saluda County, and Greenwood County School District 50.
She was an exceptional reading teacher and received great fulfillment when a student was able to achieve reading proficiency in her class. She devoted her life to educating children and youth in her community and beyond. Her students benefitted and learned because of her faithful and untiring efforts. Her legacy will live on because of the countless lives she impacted. She received numerous awards and recognitions throughout her life to acknowledge her outstanding leadership in education and community service.
Mrs. Knight held membership in many civic and religious organizations. She was a devoted, loyal and contributing church worker and joined St. Paul First Baptist Church in Laurens, South Carolina at an early age. She was active and participated in several church organizations for many years including: Deaconess Board, The Volunteer Club (Secretary), The Missionary Society, The Service Club, The Young Women’s Auxiliary, and Vacation Bible School(Teacher). Mrs. Knight was a dedicated Sunday School teacher for years. Her greatest joy was ensuring that her students learned about God and His Word every Sunday. She extended her Christian service by participating in the Corral Carrell Missionary Society, the Tumbling Shoals Baptist Association, and the Baptist Unions.
Mrs. Knight was a loyal member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. She served as Grammateus and Parliamentarian of the Zeta Lamba Zeta chapter in Laurens. She was also a member of the South Carolina National Education Association and the National Education Association.
Mrs. Knight was married to Horace C. Knight, Sr. for 66 years and their union produced five children. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She demonstrated this love by giving of her time, gifts, talents, abilities, and financial resources. She was a deeply committed Christian and worked hard to instill Biblical values in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her strong, unwavering faith in God and His providence enabled her to live a fulfilled life. Mrs. Knight was a woman of excellence and exhibited this quality in her manner, speech, dress, and work ethic. She was a role model because of her commitment to God, her marriage, her family, the church and community.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Natalie Faye Knight; a son, Horace C. Knight, Jr. a grandson, Shawn M. Spears, two sisters; Maggie P. Pitts and Flora P. Miller.
Mrs. Knight leaves to cherish her memory a devoted husband, Horace C. Knight, Sr. of Laurens, SC; three devoted daughters: Mrs. Angelia Williams of Virginia Beach, VA; Dr. Debra G. Knight of Lexington, SC and Valeria A. Knight of Fairfax, VA; beloved grandchildren: Shawnda Hinton of Virginia Beach, VA and Dr. JaGerran Knight-Bryant(Jessica) of Marietta, GA; great-grandchildren: Amani Hinton, Aniyah Matthews, and Summer Kintner all of Virginia Beach, VA and Judah Knight-Bryant of Marietta, GA; niece, Audrey Williams of New York; nephews: Dr. Gerald R. Knight of Burlington, NC, Butler J. Pitts, Jr. of Laurens, SC; Stephen C. Pitts, Sr.(Linda), and Derrell K. Pitts(Lois) both of Spartanburg, SC, and Kevin Williams of New York; and a host of other relatives and special friends.
Funeral services were held May 13, at St. Paul First Baptist with the Reverend Larry Chapman and the Reverend David Kennedy officiating. Burial was in the Westview Memorial Park.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.beasleyfuneralhome.net.
Beasley Funeral Home of Laurens assisted the family with arrangements.
