2014. C. (Sonny) McKnight, 85 of Smithland passed away Saturday, April 27, 2019 in Jefferson, Texas. He was born May 5, 1933 in Marion County, Texas to Morgan McKnight and Edith Brown McKnight. He was educated in Jefferson. He married Gayle Russell on January 10, 1952 in Texarkana, Arkansas.  They were married for 62 years before her death on March 25, 2014.  He, his wife Gayle, and their sons were formerly co-owners and operators of Lodi Drilling and Service Company for many years.  Sonny was a member of Good Exchange Baptist Church.  He was on the Board of Directors of Upshur REA, where he served for twenty years.  He was also a Mason for 63 years as a 32 degree Mason, and also a member of the Shriners.

Survivors are his children: Charles McKnight & wife Donna of McLeod, TX, David McKnight & wife Betty of Jefferson, TX, Joe McKnight & wife Kim also of Jefferson, and Glenda Hughes & husband Gary of Vivian, LA; grandchildren: Billy McKnight & wife Beth, Steven Lambeth & wife Erin, James Lambeth, Harris McKnight & wife Amanda, Wendy McKnight, Russell McKnight & wife Kim; great grandchildren: Harper, Reagan, Isaac & Jonathan McKnight, Bradley, Ella & Bryce Lambeth, Morgan, Bailey & River Lambeth, Sawyer McKnight, Heath Shelton, Trenton & Lila McKnight, Presley & Peyton Turner; sister, Evelyn Boston.

He was preceded in death by his wife Gayle Russell McKnight, and grandson James Hughes.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 30, 2019 in the chapel of Downs Funeral Home with Rev. Donnie Barron, Rev. Kent Lenard officiating. Interment will follow at Savannah Cemetery with Travis Powell officiating at the graveside.  There will be a visitation time from 6-8 p.m., Monday, April 29th at the Downs Funeral Home in Marshall.

Pallbearers will be Billy McKnight, James Lambeth, Steven Lambeth, Russell McKnight, Harris McKnight, and Reagan McKnight.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in his name to Savannah Cemetery Association, 2296 Lewis Chapel Rd, Jefferson, TX 75957.