In Loving Memory of

Ellis Thurman Knight

Ellis Thurman Knight, 89, of Stanardsville departed this life on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at his home. Gone from our sight, never to be Forgotten. He was born on January 25, 1935, the son of Ches and Mary Geer Knight.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Ruth Marie Shifflett Knight; a son, Wayne Neal Knight; special angels, an infant granddaughter, “Baby Knight”, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; brothers, Ollie Edward Knight, Winfred Thomas Knight, and Bobby Lee Knight; sisters, Eleanor Knight Dunnivan and Maxine Knight Berry. As a young boy, Thurman attended Mount Herman Mennonite Church. In his later years of life, he attended many Pentecostal Holiness Church’s, where he was faithful in serving the Lord. He retired from Piedmont Metal Fabricators after 30+ years of service. In later years, he was influential with multiple young people that came to know and love him as “Papa”. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many. He enjoyed his gardens, both vegetable and flowers, a good yard sale where he could bargain, and time spent sharing the “old” stories of times past with family and friends.  

Thurman leaves to cherish his memory his son, James Ellis “Jim” Knight and wife Terri; two daughters, Glenda Faye Williams and husband Dale, and Reba Mae Knight; a daughter-in-law, Judy Collier Knight. Four grandchildren, Phillip Dale Knight and wife Sarah, Sabrina Knight Knott and husband Allen, Travis Dale Williams, and Dustin Earl Knight. Five great-grandchildren, Sidnee Faith Knight, Jadon Wayne Knight, Kalee Grace Knight, Alysa Mae Knott, and Bricen Dale Williams. A sister, Evelyn “Sis” Knight Shifflett and her family; a special niece, Dorcas “Dot” Meadows whom he thought of as a daughter. A devoted friend, Danny Morris and “Papa” to Joey “Jo Jo” Shifflett, Logan Rath, Will Shifflett, Brody Morris, and Cynthia Grace-lee “Lucy” Sutherland. A multitude of nieces and nephews and many other devoted family and friends.

A precious bible verse was, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Psalm 122:1 KJV”

Funeral services will be held at 11am Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Preddy Funeral Home in Madison with Brother Pete Grimm, Brother Lee Lawson, and Brother Leroy Heatwole officiating. Interment will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Dyke. The family will receive friends from 5pm to 7pm Friday, December 27, 2024, at Preddy Funeral Home in Madison. 

Pallbearers: Dustin Knight, Gregory Brown, Joey “Jo Jo” Shifflett, Logan Rath, Brody Morris, Will Shifflett, Mark Moore, and C. W. Sutherland. Honorary Pallbearer: Danny Morris.