Ray Knight, 78, formerly of Piggott, of Trumann, died Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2005, in Jonesboro.

He was born July 2, 1926, in Judsonia, Ark., the eldest son of Henry Theodore and Sylvia Pearl (Leggett) Knight.

He graduated from Piggott High School, attended Arkansas State University, and lived in Trumann for 50 years. He was a World War II Navy Veteran. He retired from the Singer Company as Manager of Shipping and Transportation in 1983. He remained active in the Trumann Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, the Lions Club, and other community organizations. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Trumann.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Dr. James William Knight, Ralph E. Knight and Doyne L. Knight; and one son-in-law, Jim Norman.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ann (Kinny) Knight of the home; two daughters, Deborah "Debby" Norman of Trumann and Elizabeth "Libby" Evans and husband, Jim, of Atoka, Tenn; one granddaughter Beth (Norman) Dye and husband, Jason, of Jackson, Tenn; one great-grandson, Ryan Dye of Jackson, Tenn.; two sisters, Alice Williams of Searcy and Daphna Hall of Hot Springs.

Funeral services were held Thursday, Feb. 17, 2005, at the First Baptist Church in Trumann, with Dr. Tad Rogers officiating. Burial followed in the Oaklawn Cemetery in Jonesboro under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home of Trumann.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Trumann, The Rotary's Ray Knight Scholarship Foundation or the Parkinson Association.