Vera Agnes Starling Knight

The funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 11, 2016, at Walnut Park Baptist Church for Vera Agnes Starling Knight, age 92, of Gadsden, AL, who went to be with the Lord on March 8, 2016. Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will be at Crestwood Memorial Cemetery. Reverend Rodger Collins, Reverend Willis Kelly, and Dr. Levan Parker will officiate. Village Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Known affectionately by her family as Nana, she was born in Ensley, AL, on July 7, 1923, and later moved with her family to Gadsden, AL, where she met and married her beloved husband, James Harold Knight. A dedicated and faithful Christian, Vera was devoted to God and to her work at Walnut Park Baptist Church where she was a charter member. In her 65 years of membership, she served the Lord and others in a variety of ways. She had a great love for home and foreign missions as evidenced by her service as the longtime director of the Women’s Missionary Society in addition to her service as the leader of the young women’s missionary group, YWA’s (Acteens). In recognition of her immeasurable contributions, Walnut Park Baptist Church named a women’s missionary group in her honor. Additionally, for many years, she and her husband, Harold, taught and served the youth in Sunday School and Training Union (BTU). In later years, she taught a women’s Sunday School class. All of this was in addition to her many years of faithful service as a longtime employee in the auditing department of Sears. For 69 years, she was a devoted wife to Harold, her best friend and the love of her life. She was a loving and devoted mother, a joyful and compassionate grandmother, and a caring and supportive great-grandmother. She was unceasingly interested in and and delighted by the details of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s lastest activities and accomplishments. She was a faithful friend, encourager, and bulwark of support to many. She never ceased looking for and finding ways to encourage others whether through letter-writing, a timely word, or an infectious laugh. She was always ready and eager to help, to serve, and to love. Above all, she was a faithful servant to her great God and never wavered in her commitment to His Word and standing boldly for His truth. She will remain with us always through the hearts and lives she touched. Vera is preceded in death by her beloved husband, James Harold Knight; her precious daughter, Gail Knight Anderson; her father, George Washington Starling; her mother, Lannie Caster McWaters Starling; and three brothers and three sisters. She is survived by her devoted daughter, Ann Knight (Levan) Parker; son-in-law, Richard Anderson; grandchildren, Todd (Joan) Parker, Jason (Rachel) Anderson, Heather (Robert) Fuqua, Jodi (Jeremy) Powell, Nicole (Kevin) Pugh; great-grandchildren, Jonathan Parker, Andrew Parker, Emma Powell, Abigail Powell, Starling Fuqua, Eliza Fuqua, Graham Anderson, and Campbell Anderson; sister, Juanita Starling Weddle; nieces and nephews. Pallbearers include: Todd Parker, Jason Anderson, Jonathan Parker, Andrew Parker, Jimmy Kilgro, John Benefield, Pat Estes, and Royce Graves. Honorary pallbearers include: The men of Walnut Park Baptist Church. Vera’s family is very grateful for the love, friendship, and support of their church family. They are also deeply grateful for the attentive, loving, and professional care given by the hospice group, Gentiva, and for the 24-hour service given by the additional caregivers.

Vera Agnes Starling Knight

July 7, 1923 - March 8, 2016