Celia Earlene Knight

Celia Earlene Knight, 89, of Sedalia, passed away Saturday, December 31, 2022 at Cedarhurst Assisted Living.

She was born September 11, 1933, in Sedalia, a daughter of the late Oscar and Vallie (Kirkpatrick) Hart. On April 24, 1950, she married Claude Hubert Knight who preceded her in death on February 9, 1998.

Earlene had an interesting variety of experience throughout her lifetime including business owner, farmer, Master Gardener, Red Cross Volunteer, Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader, Sunday School teacher, homeroom mother, world traveler, horseman, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother.

Earlene was a member of First Baptist Church since the age of five. She made her profession of faith in Jesus and was baptized at a young age. Through her 85-year membership she served as Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, kitchen volunteer and maintaining the flower beds on the church grounds.

She and her husband owned and operated Knight’s TV and Appliance in Sedalia and Warsaw. They also owned and operated a farm, raising cattle and planting conservation plots. Earlene always said farm life was a favorite period of her life and considered it an adventure.

After retirement, she and Claude moved to Warsaw for 15 years where they were active in the Warsaw Wildcat Boosters and Benton County Historical Society.

Earlene loved horses. She boarded the horses at the Missouri State Fair for many years. She looked forward to the Fair each year and was proud to say she had attended at least one day one through 2021.  She worked on a tram in her 80’s.

She is survived by four children, Claude Alan Knight (Vicky), of TX, David B. Knight (Linda), of Galena, MO, Fred G. Knight (Charlene), of Sedalia and Vali “Missi” Suddarth (Jim), of Montreal, MO; two siblings, Edith Hart Woods, of MI, and Jim Hart, of Smithton; nine grandchildren Darinda Dick (Justin), of Sedalia, Josh Knight (Amber), of Springfield, Michael Knight (Inger), of TX, Amanda Davis (Chris), of Galena, Mary Knight, of TX, Katy Cason, of Sedalia, Adam Stewart (Betsie), of Rocky Mount, MO, Andy Stewart (Shehan), of Mustang, OK, and Bonnie Stewart, of Lake of the Ozarks; 20 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by nine siblings, Marion Lloyd Hart, Anita Hart Nadler, Kenneth Hart, Betty Hart Gamber, William Hart, Donna Hart Gross, Richard Hart, Ruth Hart Venable and Patty Hart Lawson.

Funeral service will be 11:00 am Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Heckart Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Sisney officiating.

Pallbearers will be Josh Knight, Michael Knight, Adam Stewart, Andy Stewart, Jim Stephens and Tim Stephens.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Claude Knight, David Knight, Fred Knight, Jim Hart, Mike Hart, Jim Lawson, Jim Suddarth, Herb Venable, Jerry Venable, and Chris Davis.

Visitation will be 10:00 am until service time.

Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Bothwell Auxiliary in care of Heckart Funeral Home.