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Submitted: 11/13/19 • Approved: 11/14/19 • Last Updated: 11/17/19 • R239527-G0-S3
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.
Photo courtesy of Bonnie D
Contributed on 11/13/19 by billsully060
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Record #: 239527