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Submitted: 11/13/19 • Approved: 11/14/19 • Last Updated: 11/17/19 • R239523-G239522-S3
Leon
July 18, 1915 - March 12, 1999
Baton Rouge Advocate
3-13-1999
KNIGHT, LEON M.
A resident of Franklinton, he died Friday morning, March 12, 1999, at his home. He was 83, a lifelong resident of Washington Parish, active in church, business, political and farming communities. He was the manager and then owner and operator of Murphy Bateman Building Supplies for almost 50 years. A retired dairy farmer, he was active during the earliest years of dairying in Washington Parish in the late 1940s; the dairy continued in the family until 1996. He was a member and a director ofthebeenthe first president of the organization, beginning in 1947. He served on the Washington Parish School Board, beginning in 1949, capping his years of service on the school board with his tenure as president from 1954 to 1966. Among his school board related activities were president of the Louisiana School Board Association, as well as director, first and second vice president and the state legislative committee. He was a member and chairman of the United School Committee of Louisiana. He wasa graduate of Franklinton High School, class of 1932. His longtime membership in the First Baptist Church of Franklinton included service in many capacities as deacon, officer, committee membership and chairmanships. He received deacon emeritus status in 1998. He was a member and past master of the Masonic Lodge in Franklinton and a member of the Franklinton Chamber of Commerce and the Franklinton Country Club. He is survived by his wife, Ella Bateman Knight; five children, Murphy Leon "Sonny" Knight of Poplarville, Miss., Wilbur Russell Knight, Richard N. Knight and Clayton "Dinky" Knight, all of Franklinton, and Patricia Knight Thrash of Mandeville; two sisters, Mildred O'Dell Strong of Sedona, Ariz., and Jeanne Knight Burris of Franklinton; 12 grandchildren andnine great-grand
children. Preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur Warren Knight and Zula Nancy Hennesy; and his stepmother, Ethel Crowe Knight. Visiting was at Crain Funeral Home, Franklinton, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. Visiting at the funeral home chapel, 8 a.m. until religious services at 10 a.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Karl Tingle officiating. Burial in Ellis Cemetery . In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the First Baptist Church Building Fund or to Hospice of St. Tammany.
Murphy
March 20, 1919 - April 13, 2008
MURPHY ELLA BATEMAN KNIGHT, age 89
died Sunday, April 13, 2008 in Franklinton, her home for all her life. She was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church. She worked with her husband in the family business, Murphy Bateman Building Supplies, which was started by her father in 1928. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and an avid reader and also enjoyed years of playing golf with her friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Leon M. Knight in 1999; her parents Murphy J. and Ethel McElveen Bateman. She was also preceded in death by her sisters who died together in a traffic accident in 1939. Ella and Leon married in 1935 and they are survived by their five children Murphy Leon "Sonny" Knight of Poplarville, MS; Wilbur Russell Knight of Cincinnati, OH; Richard N. Knight of Franklinton; Patricia Ella "Pat" Knight Thrash of Seneca, SC; and Clayton S. "Dinky" Knight of Franklinton. 12 Grandchildren: Connie Lynn Knight Dickinson, Roger A. Knight, Clay Patrick Knight, Will R. Knight, Warren L. Knight, Joni Knight Adams, Hunter Leon Knight, Emily Knight Phelps, Nora Brown Haile, Frank Lewis Brown, Nancy Brown Wiebelt and James Knight. 19 Great-grandchildren: Chad, Anna Hampton and Jill Crosby, Lindsey Knight Olsen, Meaghen Knight, Tyler and Evan Knight, Brian Paterno, Paxton and Spencer Knight, Mallory and Julia Knight, Sammy and Wyatt Phelps, Dominic Hamsa, Adam Joseph and Lucy Wiebelt and Emma Knight. 2 Great-great-grandchildren Peyton and Brenton Olsen.
A graveside service will be held at 2 PM Tuesday, April 15 at the Ellis Cemetery.
Photo courtesy of Bonnie D
Contributed on 11/13/19 by billsully060
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Record #: 239523