Mary Collier Knight's Obituary
Mary Collier Knight, age 94, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2024, in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia on October 1, 1929, Mary was the third child of her parents Kathryn and Robert Collier and was raised alongside her siblings, Kathryn and Bob. While in the United States Air Force, Mary’s brother introduced her to his friend and the love of her life, Richard. The two married on February 14, 1950, at the base in California. Mary and Richard started their family in Atlanta, Georgia and raised five daughters, Kathy, Nancy, Susan, Anne, and Jane. Mary was a talented seamstress, was active in her daughter’s schools, served in many capacities at Belvedere United Methodist Church in Decatur, Georgia, and even began a catering business with her friend specializing in wedding receptions and church events.
In 1976, Mary and Richard moved to Germantown, Tennessee where her love for dogs grew immensely. She spent most of her time caring for, fostering, and rescuing dogs, working closely with the Collierville Animal Shelter. She’d never be caught without a baggie of dog food and a spare leash in her car just in case there was an opportunity to help out a dog in need.
The ones that lovingly called her “Grandmother” enjoyed special time with her over the years as she hopped from sporting events, dance recitals, and cheer competitions and later on at graduations, weddings, and the arrival of great-grandchildren. She often stayed up in the late hours watching her favorite programs on television including ice skating, dancing, and old movies.
In 2022, Mary moved to Rock Hill, South Carolina to reside with her daughter, Nancy and son in law, Mike. She spent most of her time enjoying family, completing word searches, thrifting, and volunteering in church activities.
Mary was predeceased by her husband, Richard A. Knight, her daughter, Kathy Derbridge, and granddaughter, Amanda Jane Wood. She is survived by her daughters: Nancy (Mike) Burgess, of Rock Hill, South Carolina; Susan Wood, of Nolensville, Tennessee; Anne (Tim) Sawyer, of Bartlett, Tennessee; and Jane (Joe) Leathers of Franklin, Tennessee. She leaves behind her grandchildren: Alan Davis, Michael (Katie) Derbridge, Mary Leigh (Charles) Dickerson, Greg (Korrinn) Burgess, Jennie (Steven) Sargent, John (Shayna) Wood, Aden Wood, Bryan Wilson, Laura (Zach) Justice, O’Neal (Ross) Cooper, Grace Leathers, Kate (Cooper) Sandusky, and Eli Leathers and thirteen great-grandchildren.
The visitation will be held Saturday, August 31, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. until the service time at 10:00 a.m., at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119. She will be laid to rest alongside her husband and daughter at Memorial Park Cemetery.
May Mary’s legacy of love, strength, and goodness live on in our hearts forever.
Memorial donations in honor of Mrs. Knight can be made to Collierville Animal Services, 603 East South St. Collierville TN 38017
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