June 17, 1934 - April 24, 2025
Leona Newman Knight, aged 90, died April 24th at Effingham County Hospital. Leona was a retired teacher, a farm wife, mother, grandmother and loving friend to so many. A graduate of the Georgia Teachers College (Georgia Southern University), class of 1955, with Bachelor of Early Elementary Education degree. After graduating from college, Leona taught school in Fernandina Beach until the love of her life, Horace Knight, swept her off her feet and married her in 1956. Leona always knew the love of her life, Horace Knight, 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 age of 16. Their relationship deepened through their college years, before marrying in August of 1956. They moved to Charlton County, Georgia where Leona taught at the elementary school and Horace was the basketball and baseball coach and an educator at Folkston High 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 two.
Leona began teaching at Stilson Elementary School while Horace began a new career farming the family farm. They were blessed with three more children and developed even deeper roots and life-long relationships in the Stilson community. Leona was devout Christian and member of the Lanes Primitive Baptist Church where she played piano and taught Sunday school for many years. Although she did not watch much tv, Leona loved watching sports. She played basketball in high school and really loved watching college basketball.
Leona is preceded in death by the love of her life, Horace Knight, her first born son, Hal Eugene Knight, her parents, Jasper Irbin Newman and Freida McElveen Newman, her sister, Eugenia Newman and brother, Inman Newman.
Leona is survived by three children; Suzanne Smith, Hank Knight (Trisha), and Ernie Knight (Norma Jean). Grandchildren are Harlee Daniel; Alison Santana (Marc), Emily Gibson (Wayne), and Hal Knight (Jaci); Cam Miles (Julee), Shianne Gilmore (Brandon), Sabrina Gay (Tyler), and Jamie Hackle (Stephen). Great-grandchildren include Colton Rushing (Hadley), Ava Santana, and Emarie Santana; Grace Gibson and Ethan Gibson; Haley Knight, Raylyn Knight, and Hutson Knight; Violet Gilmore, Auggy Gay, Briggs Bradley.
The family will receive visitors on Sunday April 27th from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm at Lanes Primitive Baptist Church. Funeral services will be at 3:00 pm in the church sanctuary with Elder Lee Chambers officiating, assisted by Elder Dean Robbins.
Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Hal Knight, Winston Clark, Marc Santana, Wayne Gibson, Colton Rushing, Stephen Bradley, Winston Clark, and Rusty Beasley.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Lanes Primitive Baptist Church, Cemetery Fund, 2858 Stilson Leefield Road, Brooklet, GA 30415.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of arrangements.
