Katherine"Kay" Goldsberry Knight

Katherine “Kay” G. Knight, daughter of the late Montgomery Lisle and Marian Blanche (Hawkins) Goldsberry, was born January 22, 1920 in Mineral Springs, Kansas. She attended grade school, graduated High School and attended one year of extension college in Columbus (Cherokee County), Kansas. She furthered her education at Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri and the Kansas State Teachers College. On October 5, 1941, Kay was united in marriage to the love of her life, Wilbur Harold “Blackie” Knight. They were married in Washington, D.C. They shared over 36 years of marriage together and were blessed with two daughters: Andrea and Martha. Blackie preceded her in death on June 24, 1978. Kay was a hardworking person. She worked as a teacher in Trieste, Italy teaching high school algebra from 1950 – 1952. She began her civil service career as a typist while living in Washington, D.C. and her last level of employment was as a GS9 in the position of Management Analyst at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Kay was also a very active person. While attending school, she played the piano and violin and in High School, she won state honors in typing and Algebra. Her senior photo in the yearbook, had the caption “Million Dollar Legs” because of her long legs and her talent as a tap dancer. While in college, she belonged to the drum and bugle corps and was on the water ballet swim team. In her later years, Kay enjoyed knitting, crossword puzzles, reading, bowling, traveling and her activities at the Senior Center in Waynesville. She always enjoyed singing and any opportunity to dance, even while in the passenger seat of a car filled with grandchildren. While living in Waynesville, Kay was a very active member of the First Christian Church. She was a member of the Mary Martha Circle at the church and also was involved in the church choir, Sunday School program and VBS programs throughout the years. She loved children and wanted to help any way she could. After moving to Florida, she became a member of the First Christian Church in Leesburg and attended every chance she could until her health declined. Kay was involved in several organizations. She was proud of her record as a faithful blood donor and worked with the Waynesville Blood Drive. She was a member of the Elizabeth Chapter 43 Order of the Eastern Star of Georgia and then was demitted with the Hanson Chapter 22 Order of the Eastern Star of Waynesville. She was a past Matron and District Deputy Grand Matron with the Eastern Star and received her 50 years pin on December 5, 2002. She was also involved with the Business and Professional Women of America, the National Federation of Federal Employees, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and was on the board of the Fort Leonard Wood Credit Union. Kay’s greatest enjoyment came from spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren. She truly knew her family was more important than anything else. She will be sadly missed by not only her family, but also her many friends. Kay went home to be with her Lord Tuesday, May 22, 2012 in her daughter’s home in Florida having attained the age of 92 years. Kay leaves to cherish her memory her two daughters: Andrea Conrad (Patrick R. Conrad) of Houston, TX and Martha Haworth (Glenn R. Haworth) of Leesburg, FL; one brother: John Maurice Goldsberry (Joan); four grandchildren: Christopher Adolph (Cindy), Gina Kussro (Ray), Tonja Martin and Katherine Youngren (Nathaniel); five step-grandchildren: Misha Hess (Jason), Brett Conrad (Kelley), Melissa Knox, Darcey Bailey (Jim) and KC Haworth (Whitney); twenty great grandchildren: Kimberly Kay Adolph, Kodie Lynn Adolph, Michael Craven (Marisol), Brittany Adams, Kyle and Jacob Hess, Bryce and Brenna Conrad, Caleb, Emily and Ryan Kussro, Cadence Youngren, Rusty and Paige Knox, Trey, Tyler and Maggie Bailey and Destiny, Karli, and Braden Haworth; other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Kay was also preceded in death by one grandson: Montgomery Caswell Adolph. Eastern Star services were held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 29, 2012 with a funeral service following. Pastor Gary Holt officiated during the funeral service. Soloist Evelyn Horine sang “The Old Rugged Cross” and serving as escorts were Jerry Nelson, Junior Levett, Pete Cruz, Paul Hardman, Christopher Adolph and K.C. Haworth. Burial followed in the Main Post Cemetery of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Research for the Cure for Alzheimers online at www.curealzfund.org or may be left at the funeral home.

Katherine"Kay" Goldsberry Knight

January 22, 1920 - May 22, 2012