Funeral services for Gayle McKnight, 78, of Smithland, Texas, will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 27, 2014 in the Chapel of Downs Funeral Home with Bro. Kent Lenard and Bro. Jeff Story officiating. Interment will follow in Savannah Cemetery in Smithland, Texas. Mrs. McKnight passed away March 25, 2014 at her home. Gayle Russell McKnight was born April 27, 1935 in Jefferson, Texas to Luther David and Lena Estella White Russell. She attended Jefferson public schools, and was active in her classmates luncheon every month. Gayle married J.C. "Sonny" McKnight on January 10, 1952 in Texarkana, AR. She and her husband were formerly co-owners of Lodi Drilling and Service Company for many years. She was a member of Good Exchange Baptist Church in McLeod, Texas. Surviving Gayle are her husband of 62 years, J.C. "Sonny" McKnight; her children, Charles McKnight and wife Donna, David McKnight and wife Betty, Joe McKnight and wife Kim, Glenda Hughes and husband Gary; grandchildren, Billy McKnight and wife Beth, Steven Lambeth and wife Erin, James Lambeth, Harris McKnight and wife Amanda, Wendy McKnight, Russell McKnight and wife Kim; great grandchildren, Harper, Reagan, Isaac and Jonathan McKnight, Bradley, Ella and Bryce Lambeth, Morgan, Bailey and River Lambeth, Sawyer McKnight, Heath McKnight, Trenton and Lila McKnight, Presley and Peyton Turner; sisters, Lavelle Powell and husband Dayton, Ladelle Kay; and numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends. Preceding Gayle in death were her parents, Luther and Lena Russell; grandson, James Hughes; and several brothers and sisters. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Billy McKnight, James Lambeth, Steven Lambeth, Russell McKnight, Harris McKnight, Don Blackwell and Greg Dickerson. The family requests memorials be sent to the Savannah Cemetery Association, 1904 State Hwy. 43, Jefferson, Texas 75657 or The Gideons, P.O. Box 1855, Marshall, Texas 75671.