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Submitted: 10/31/22 • Approved: 11/11/22 • Last Updated: 11/14/22 • R1455868-G1455867-S3
September 21, 1939 - October 15, 2021
Married John Paul Jones October 1, 1955
Married William Duke Knight, Jr September 2, 1967
Patsy Sue Allen Jones Knight transitioned from this earth on Friday, October 15, 2021, after suffering from COPD and congestive heart failure. Born on September 21, 1939, to Willie and Iva Allen—a Singer Sewing Machine dealer and a housewife—Pat was the second child of their three daughters. Pat grew up on Clardy Street with her two sisters, Linda and Nancy, a situation that resulted in both sibling joy and rivalry at times. Having to share clothes, Pat recalled fondly the time Linda wanted to wear their only jeans, but Pat had put them on first. Linda remarked, “If my butt looked that big in those pants, I don’t think I’d wear them” in attempt of getting the jeans for herself. She loved her two sisters dearly, and she was blessed to have Nancy help care for her this summer.
Pat graduated from Malvern High School with honors. She married John Paul Jones, the father of her two children, Paul and Pam, but their time together was brief as he was killed in a car accident in 1962, leaving her a devastated widow. But with love and support from her family and help with rearing her children, Pat worked downtown at Paula’s Record Shop and the drive-in movie theater, and she eventually married again.
Pat and Bill Knight combined their young families, and although the union was no “Brady Bunch,” the crew did enjoy outdoor times playing in Cooper’s Creek and water skiing and picnicking at Lakes Catherine and DeGray often during summers. Holidays were shared with extended family, and Pat especially loved times when her sisters’ families came home to visit so the homemade ice cream freezer could be cranked up and Bill’s fish and hush puppies could be fried. She liked going to Tulip for Christmas gatherings at Bill’s uncle’s country house to share delicious home cooked food and chatter with kinfolks. After 28 years of marriage, she was once again left a widow when Bill succumbed to cancer.
Prior to Bill’s passing, with all kids in school, Pat was encouraged by former elementary teacher Ms. Massey to go to college to become a teacher herself, and she graduated from Henderson State Teachers College with a BSE in elementary education. Her 28-year career in the Malvern School District involved teaching first and second grades in addition to Chapter I Reading after she earned her master’s degree in Reading from Henderson State University. Pat loved every student who entered her classroom, and she reveled in their progress. She took her job seriously and was determined to help every child under her care succeed. Kids loved her sweet voice, bright jewelry, and colorful outfits and often drew pictures of her, always with big yellow hair and sky-blue eyes. As a professional educator, Pat was a member of the HSU chapters of Phi Delta Kappa and Kappa Delta Pi; a member of the regional Reading Council; a Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year and was awarded a lifetime PTA membership.
She liked being active, and over the years she and Bill bowled locally, and square danced with friends in the Levis and Lace group. Additionally, Pat devoted much time volunteering at the Smith House Thrift Shop, as her heart was drawn to helping those suffering from domestic violence. She was a member of the Arkansas chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and advocated for improved treatment for those suffering from brain disorders. Pat enjoyed working quietly in her spacious yard, going to estate sales, and watching HGTV and John Wayne movies on TV.
Church was paramount to Pat, and at times she taught Sunday school classes, led Bible study sessions, and volunteered to help in any capacity with activities. Favorite pastors Don Nordin, Tony Burrow, and Scott Efird kept her mind engaged with the Word, and when unable to attend live services, she faithfully watched John Hagee and others on television. She was a member of Church of Faith where she especially loved the praise and worship.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, niece Tracy Lynn Hudson, son Paul Martin Jones, and sister Linda Allen. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Pamela and Ronnie Hall; grandson Jonathan Luke Hall; sister and brother-in-law Nancy and Bob Pennington and nephews Jeff and Travis Pennington and their families of Arizona; nephew Tom Hudson and his family of Texas; Bill’s kids Bill Knight, Kim Cherry, and Susan Daniel; lifelong friend Gail Adams Simmons of Malvern; and loving neighbors.
As she was a generous and kind person, Pat would be both humbled and honored to be remembered through a contribution to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library c/o Malvern-HSC Library, 202 E. 3rd St. Malvern, AR, 72104, or to a charity of your choice. She wanted her death to be a celebration of life, a happy recognition that she is now with her Lord and Savior.
A special thanks is extended to the team of caregivers from Hospice Home Care, Visiting Angels’ aid Gabby, and to Kristi Efird for helping make her final months more pleasant. And thanks be to God, whose presence Pat is enjoying now!
Graveside services will be two o’clock Thursday afternoon, October 21, 2021, at Rockport Cemetery with Brother Scott Efird officiating and under the direction of J. A. Funk Funeral Home.
Contributed on 10/31/22 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 1455868