Velma B McKnight

Velma B. Ownbey McKnight, 93, a resident of Cleveland, passed away Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at her residence. She was of the Baptist faith. She was the widow of John P. McKnight and was also preceded in death by her parents, Arthur B. Ownbey and Sophia Ann Trentham Ownbey; brothers: Clell Ownbey, Verlis Ownbey, Clyde Ownbey and Bruce Ownbey; one sister, Ethel Tilson. Survivors include her six children: Jack McKnight and wife, Velma D. of Jesup, GA, Bettie Ann Presswood of Benton, Ronnie Lee McKnight of Mountain City, TN, C.J. McKnight and wife, Janet, Marilyn Gargala and Anthony McKnight all of Cleveland; nine grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; eleven great-great-grandchildren; four sisters: Rebecca Seaborn, Emma Ferguson and Hettie Copeland Mason and husband, William all of Cleveland and Lena Elliott and husband, Leroy of Old Fort; several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 14, 2013 in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Pastor Leroy Elliott and Pastor Richard Watson officiating. Interment will follow in Fort Hill Cemetery in the veteran section. Randal Ferguson, Mike Hickman, Rick Tallent, Robert Presswood, Kenneth Elliott and Tracy Chadwick will serve as pallbearers. Lee Slack will serve as an honorary pallbearer. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, September 13, 2013 at the funeral home. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the McKnight family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.