Jill Alfreda Knight Rayfield

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, November 3rd at Crown Memorial Park at 11:00 am.

Jill was born in London, England to Alfred Knight and wife Phyllis Knight (Watts) on August 29, 1939. She was trained as a keypunch operator (the predecessor to the modern computer programmer) in London and served multiple corporations there and in North Carolina. After immigrating to the United States in 1959 with her parents and several siblings, she married her devoted husband of 63 years, Howard Rayfield of Bessemer City. She then started her most rewarding career as mother to three children. Jill’s British family would not remain in the States, but her heart would remain with them. Over the years, Jill would make over 25 return trips to England to see her beloved family and homeland. As a young woman, Jill was an active member of the British Club of Charlotte and maintained many of these relationships for decades. She was known for her keen wit and intelligence, warm conversations with strangers, endearing British accent, and immense concern for sick family members.

Jill is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband Howard Rayfield, her daughter Kim Rayfield, son Jeff Rayfield and his wife Mary Anne, and youngest daughter Karen Dial and husband Randy. Her surviving siblings are brother John Knight and wife Maria, Sister June Pudney and husband George, sister Virginia Frost and husband Christopher, brother James Knight and wife Lynda, sister Beverly Leng and husband Philip, brother Christopher Knight and his wife Marie, and sister Tracey Hallewell and husband Mark. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Jake Rayfield, Pfeiffer Ausband and husband Reid, Maddie Rayfield and Raleigh Dial; and one great granddaughter, Emmaline Ausband.

Jill’s children would like to express their respect and deep gratitude for the devoted care their Dad gave to their Mom in the last year of her illness.

Condolences may be offered at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com.