Roland Kenneth Knight, 77, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away Thursday, September 12, 2019 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.
Mr. Knight was born January 28, 1942 in Macon, Ga. He spent his early years in Macon and graduated from Lanier High School, Class of 1961. He married the former Charlotte Bivins of Macon, Ga. and soon enrolled at Mercer University in Macon, where he earned his bachelor’s degree.
He joined the U.S. Navy and served his country honorably. Upon returning home, he worked for the Bibb Manufacturing Company in Macon and eventually became president and CEO of the company. He later owned and operated the Georgia Narrow Fabrics Textile Company in Jesup, Ga.
In 1991, he joined the Board of Trustees of Mercer University. In 2003, he was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in Clayton, Ga. and also to the Board of Trustees of Piedmont College in Demorest, Ga.
In 1997, he moved to Fernandina Beach, where he was very active in community affairs and served as chaplain at Barnabas Center and the Fernandina Beach Police Department. In 2009, Mr. Knight was recognized by the Florida Times-Union newspaper as the top Volunteer of the Year for Nassau County. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church.
He leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Charlotte Knight; his daughters, Katherine Jennifer Knight and partner Chiqui Cartagena of New York City, Carol Elizabeth Singleton and husband Donald of Atlanta, Ga., Caroline Spicer Wallis and husband James of Tiger, Ga., and Molly Armstrong Davis of Fernandina Beach; his six grandchildren, Sam, Jackson, Kade, Caroline, Max, and Jansyn; and five Bosnian sons.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, September 16, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church in Fernandina Beach with Rev. Dr. Wain Wesberry officiating. A reception will follow after the service in Jim Thomas Hall. Mr. Knight will rest in the family lot at Riverside Cemetery in Macon, Ga.
Memorials may be made to Barnabas Center at 1303 Jasmine St., Suite 101, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034; Nassau County Council on Aging at 1901 Island Walk Way, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034; or FAITH in Rabun County Inc., P.O. Box 1964 Clayton, GA 30525.
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Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors