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Submitted: 10/10/24 • Approved: 10/10/24 • Last Updated: 10/13/24 • R1545114-G1545112-S3
Dean
February 10, 1958 - December 12, 2020
Grandson of Dewey Cole
Brenda
January 13, 1956 - May 26, 2011
Wife of Dean
Brenda Kay Pless McKnight, 55, a resident of Las Cruces, New Mexico, formerly of Russellville, died Wednesday, May 25, 2011, after a 38 year battle with Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, in New Mexico. She was born January 13, 1956, at Russellville to Odell and Betty Trigg Pless. She became a member of the East Point Baptist Church as a child and graduated from Russellville High School in 1974. She earned a B. S. in mathematics from Arkansas Tech University in 1978. On August 5, 1978, she married her lifelong soul mate, Dean. They moved to Magnolia where Brenda taught math for five years in the Village Public Schools. On October 27, 1982, their first son, Paul David McKnight was born and died. Shortly after, Dean graduated with a B. S. E. from Southern Arkansas University and their son Andrew was born on Brenda's birthday, January 13, 1984. In 1985, the family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where Brenda was active in teaching Sunday school and Mother's Day Out. She also re-started her teaching career at Queen of Heaven School. Her daughter Sarah was born on November 29, 1988. She taught the 89-90 school year with the Magdalena Municipal Schools and in the fall of 1990, she was employed by G. I. S. D. until her retirement in May of 2010. Brenda's greatest joy was her family, especially the musical achievements of her children. She loved to travel in the region, needle point and her numerous pets. She was preceded in death by her father and an infant son. She is survived by her husband and companion of 33 years, Dean McKnight of Las Cruces; a son, Andrew Dean of Las Cruces; a daughter, Sarah Ann McKnight of New Mexico; her mother and step-father, Betty and Benard Hegeman of Hector; a brother, Larry Pless of Russellville; a sister and brother-in-law, Rebeca and Matthew Barnhardt of Vilonia; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Becky and Dr. Jeffery Blout; three nephews; a niece; and a great-nephew. A graveside memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, 2011, at Jolley Cemetery near El Dorado. The cemetery is located approximately 16 miles southwest of El Dorado on the west side of Highway 15 South.
Contributed on 10/10/24 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 1545114