Obituary for Lillian K. McKnight
Lillian Katherine McKnight, 83, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, while residing at Rock Island Village Memory Care Unit in Eldon, Mo. The family is very grateful for the wonderful care Lillian got while living there.
Lillian was born on January 14, 1937 in Chamois, Mo. the daughter of James and Inez (Walker) McKinney. On April 28, 1954 she married Charles Paul Deatherage who preceded her in death in 1985. On October 27, 1990 she married Randal McKnight, who also preceded her in death in 2011.
A lifelong resident of the Central Missouri area, Lillian was not able to finish high school, having been raised in a farming family struggling to make a living. However, after her marriage and move to Jefferson City, Mo., Lillian was determined to make a success of her life.
She paid a private firm to teach her how to drive, as not all women drove at that time. On April 30, 1965 she got her driver’s license and was able to have a 37-year career at the Missouri Department of Revenue.
Lillian loved her church family, First Assembly of God, and her good friends, Alfred Gibler, Mary Connor and Sharon Sheperling. She loved the simple things in life, going for a ride in the country, eating ice cream, and shopping at thrift stores.
She had a very generous heart. Her favorite group to donate to was the always the church first, followed by the American Heart Association, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, St. Joseph’s Indian School, and Boys Town.
Lillian is survived by two nephews, Terry (Cilia) Wolz and Rob (Patricia) Wolz. She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands and one sister, Opal Wolz.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm, Saturday, November 21, 2020, at Freeman Mortuary, Jefferson City, Mo. The family has asked that anyone in attendance wear a protective mask.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 pm Saturday, November 21, 2020, in the Freeman Chapel with the Reverend Lisa Deutsch officiating. Graveside services and interment will be held at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens.
A webcast of the funeral service will begin at 1:45 pm Saturday for friends that are not able to attend by going to the "photos and videos" tab of this memorial page and scrolling down to the webcasting link.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to First Assembly of God, 1900 State Hwy C, Jefferson City, Mo. 65109. Friends may mail sympathy cards to the funeral home or leave condolences online to be given to her family.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary.
Lillian was born on January 14, 1937 in Chamois, Mo. the daughter of James and Inez (Walker) McKinney. On April 28, 1954 she married Charles Paul Deatherage who preceded her in death in 1985. On October 27, 1990 she married Randal McKnight, who also preceded her in death in 2011.
A lifelong resident of the Central Missouri area, Lillian was not able to finish high school, having been raised in a farming family struggling to make a living. However, after her marriage and move to Jefferson City, Mo., Lillian was determined to make a success of her life.
She paid a private firm to teach her how to drive, as not all women drove at that time. On April 30, 1965 she got her driver’s license and was able to have a 37-year career at the Missouri Department of Revenue.
Lillian loved her church family, First Assembly of God, and her good friends, Alfred Gibler, Mary Connor and Sharon Sheperling. She loved the simple things in life, going for a ride in the country, eating ice cream, and shopping at thrift stores.
She had a very generous heart. Her favorite group to donate to was the always the church first, followed by the American Heart Association, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, St. Joseph’s Indian School, and Boys Town.
Lillian is survived by two nephews, Terry (Cilia) Wolz and Rob (Patricia) Wolz. She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands and one sister, Opal Wolz.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm, Saturday, November 21, 2020, at Freeman Mortuary, Jefferson City, Mo. The family has asked that anyone in attendance wear a protective mask.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 pm Saturday, November 21, 2020, in the Freeman Chapel with the Reverend Lisa Deutsch officiating. Graveside services and interment will be held at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens.
A webcast of the funeral service will begin at 1:45 pm Saturday for friends that are not able to attend by going to the "photos and videos" tab of this memorial page and scrolling down to the webcasting link.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to First Assembly of God, 1900 State Hwy C, Jefferson City, Mo. 65109. Friends may mail sympathy cards to the funeral home or leave condolences online to be given to her family.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary.