Toni Mae Knight

Toni was born on May 22nd 1939 in Fort Worth, Texas. Toni excelled in her studies and graduated from Trimble Tech High school one year early in 1956. She first met her husband of 64 years, Roy C. Knight, in high school Math class. They moved to Camp Pendelton in Oceanside, California, serving four years in the Marine Corp. In 1957 their first child Amanda Leigh Knight was born, and in 1959 they welcomed their second child Robert Clayton Knight. They returned to Fort Worth in 1959 where she later began a career in the dental field as a Dental Assistant. In 1966 they moved their family to Crowley where she began working for a local dentist, Dr. Hargrave. She along with Dr. Hargrave and their team would volunteer their services in the Valley for two weeks each summer for those in need. One particular instance of volunteer work being in June of 1977 with First Baptist Church of Crowley in Uvalde, Tx. Toni also spent time working at a local Florist where she utilized her love and skills for floral design.

Toni was always an active member of her church organizations. In the 1980’s she began working with the Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home. The early years were spent as house mother and volunteering at youth camps. Her services were then recognized when she was appointed as acting Campus Director for the Children’s Home. Many admired her time and effort in decorating the Children’s Home for holidays; she wanted the children to be able to take joy in each and every holiday. Toni was asked to join the Editors-at-Large Program for The Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where articles she wrote were part of their monthly publication.

In 1990 Toni’s husband Roy retired from the Fort Worth Fire Department and decided to take a position with the state fire marshals office in Oregon. They returned to Fort Worth in 1991 to begin their final retirement. Shortly after returning to Texas, they bought an 18-acre farm located in Hico where they raised sheep. A few years later, they sold the farm and decided to travel full time in an RV with a small place to call home in Dublin.

Toni loved to travel, it only made sense that they decided to do it full time. Her love of travel came from traveling with her parents as a child. They fostered in her a great love of exploring the world. Toni and Roy enjoyed taking their children on camping trips to Texas state parks. They traveled widely and had many adventures throughout the years. Some of those adventures also included their grandchildren and great-grand children as traveling companions.

During their RV years they made numerous RV’ing friends across the country, often referring to themselves as RV Gypsies. They met and made so many friends on their travels that a group of them began meeting each summer at Cloudcroft, New Mexico. These friendships endure with each of these friends holding Toni and Roy in high regard.

Finally, in 2007 they decided to be closer to family and moved back home to Fort Worth. In 2015 they then settled in St. Francis Village where Toni was an active member of the St. Francis Village community, most recently volunteering in their office.

In her later years, Toni would spend much of her time as an active member of Arborlawn United Methodist Church, playing an active role in the Merry Maker’s group outings. Toni was a talented soprano and participated in the church choir at every church they ever attended. She also had a passion for golf, starting as a caddie for her father at a young age. She also was an avid football and softball fan. She enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboys.

Toni loved cooking for others and often would show love and affection through making the favorite foods of her loved ones and friends. Toni had a large collection of insulators and still has several displayed in her home. Schnauzers were a love both Toni and her husband shared; they were owners of several through the years. After the passing of her most recent Schnauzer Sadie, and then her husband, Toni decided she would like a companion and became the owner of Milli (named after the Spanish word milagro which means miracle), who brought much joy to her in the most recent months.

Toni was especially fond of the holidays and rarely missed a chance to spend this time with family and friends. She loved attending every game and every performance of every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild. She took such joy in the accomplishments of every family member. Toni was known and loved by many, many people throughout the years and will be sorely missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents Tony T and Clarice Hunter, and her husband of 64 years, Roy C Knight.

She is survived by her sister in law Sandra Grimland and husband Gene, brother in law Cecil Knight and wife Paddy, children Amanda Leigh Knight and partner David, Robert Clayton Knight and wife Connie, grandchildren Misti Kai Zablosky and wife April, Kelli D’Ann Trice, and husband David, David Paul Clayton Knight and fiancé Brittany, great-grandchildren Tryniti Layne Muncy, Miles Atlas Trice and Reed Cory Clayton Zablosky, step-grandchildren Anderson Dark and wife Jessica, Katie Gordon and husband Bryan, step-great-grandchildren Fitz Dark, Cooper Gordon, Georgia Dark and by many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Funeral arrangements will be held at 9:30 am on Tuesday, September 28th 2021 at Laurel Land Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home.