Jessie Knight

Jessie James Knight, Sr. (aka “Friday”) passed away June 1, 2024, at The Maples Health and Rehabilitation Center surrounded by loved ones and friends.

Friday was born August 16, 1927, in Blackfish, Arkansas to Daniel and Mary Belle Matthews-Knight. At the age of eight he was given away to the landlord Etta Shreeves whom he refers to as “Mom” and henceforth was called “Friday”, Dan Sr was a sharecropper. Friday is preceded by his parent’s deaths in 1991 and 1971 respectively. Dan and Mary Belle bore eight children: Sisters Lurenza Knight, Corine Knight-Broadnax, Carrie Knight-Nickelberry, Mary Elizabeth Knight-Stewart, and Dan Knight Jr (aka Buddy), Jessie James Knight (aka Friday), Jesse Willis Knight (Twin-deceased at two years old), Tommie Lee Knight-Brown. Dan Jr, Corine, Carrie and Mary bore 34 children among them.

Friday found the love of his life in 1950 and married Doris Marie Hanks in Springfield, MO. Doris passed from a rare heart disease in 1969 leaving him to raise the children alone. He never remarried saying he would never find someone like her. They raised their children to compete and excel in education, athletics and faith within the Catholic doctrine. Friday and Doris Knight bore six children, Jessie Knight Jr, Diahann Knight-Moore, Janice Knight, Edric Knight, Shirley Knight, and Brian Knight (deceased). Jessie Knight Jr. (Joye Blount), Diahann Knight-Moore (Don Hardesty Sr) (deceased), Janice Knight, Edric Knight, Shirley Knight (Bonnie Carter), and Brian Knight (deceased) (Gail Knight). Jessie, Janice and Edric are graduates of Saint Louis University, Shirley, University of Maryland, Diahann University of Washington and Brian, Southwest Missouri State.

His legacy will live for many generations to come having nine grandchildren: Jessica Knight-Mendiola, Janica Moore-Gothwright, Lachetta Knight- Juggins, Letitia Knight-Williamson, Indigo Knight, Ambrosia Knight, Edric Anthony Knight Jr., Tim Knight and Richard Knight; eight great-grandchildren and numerous great-great-grandchildren.

Friday worked for Frisco Railway before it merged with Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroads, retiring after 38 years. There was a one and a half year period he was laid off so he worked at a produce distributor at Fadlers in Springfield, Mo. This was a period where blemished produce would be thrown away. To support the community and his family; he convinced the manager to crate the rejects and set them aside on pallets. He picked it up weekly and the family would take what they needed and clean and process the excess to distribute it to people in need throughout Springfield. Fresh fruit and vegetables were nicely bagged and placed on the people’s doorsteps courtesy of Friday Knight and family. He was a devout Catholic and hauled for St. Vincent DePaul gathering donations to provide for the family and people in need. His work ethic was legendary with a love for people and life, having never met a stranger; always offering a kind word and a smile. He passed those traits onto the children. His entrepreneurial spirit was contagious from his ownership and management of a nightclub, restaurants Mike’s Drive-in and at the Ozark Empire Fair, trash hauling, and catering. He served private parties as a bartender at Hickory Hills Country Club, Pat Jones and wife at the Buena Vista Ranch (Parents of Jerry Jones owner of the Dallas Cowboys), judges, lawyers, doctors and politicians including Harry Truman are some of the many dignitaries he touched. Always in demand for his services he was a renowned cook and bartender with a demeanor and heart of gold.

Family always came first, God and Family. To put food on the table he was also an avid hunter and fisherman always thinking and keeping in mind those in need. Politically he was always a diehard union democrat and was never afraid to let it be known. As a true man of honesty and integrity he had an exceptional life in service to others. Let’s all pray that the lives he touched will pass it on to future generations. Given a man that accomplished all of this with only one week of formal education is absolutely incredible.

A Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2024, with rosary service to follow in Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home 500 E. Walnut St, Springfield, MO 65806. A Funeral Mass will be in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wednesday 10 a.m. June 19, 2024, 1115 North Campbell Ave. Springfield, MO 65802. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery 4677 W Division St, Springfield, MO 65802.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the special people who have been so helpful during this time. Steve and Mary Reith, Dink and Diane Davis, Lisa (Dawaliby) and Ed Stracke, Eddie Thomas, David Thomas, Arthur and Cynthia Duncan and staff at The Maples Health and Rehabilitation and Phoenix Home Care and Hospice, friends and others.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.


* Please click this link to view the Live Stream of Friday’s Visitation and Rosary Service: https://www.facebook.com/Hhlohmeyerfuneralhome/videos/1170756664126079

* Please click this link to view the Live Stream of Friday’s Funeral Mass: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=729105665892117

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