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Junior Evert Knight, 96 of DeSoto, MO died on June 17, 2023 at Baisch Nursing Residential Home.  He was born on January 22, 1927 in Ironton, MO to his parents: Evert Lee Knight and Blanche Lee (Palmer) Knight.  Junior E. Knight has been a resident of DeSoto, MO since 1957 and a lifetime resident of Missouri since 1927.

His military service was in the United States Army in World War II as a Tech 5 Infantry.  He was inducted at Jefferson Barracks in May of 1945 and honorably discharged at Fort Meade, Maryland in November of 1946.

He was a shipbuilder and worked at St. Louis Shipyard, Potts Industries for 30 years building barges and towboats on the Mississippi River. As a crafty woodworker he used his talent to bless his family and friends by making furniture, desk accessories, wooden vases and a whole host of beautiful work mainly out of oak and cedar.  All of his beautiful work was given away to family, friends and people around town.  On the back of every piece, you will find his name and a bible verse.

Junior E. Knight accepted the Lord as his Savior when he was 67 years old after a severe heart attack.  As a long-time member of First Baptist Church of DeSoto he helped serve Bereavement dinners at church, worked at VBS and helped with the Senior Luncheons with his wife Jeanne (Bliss) Knight.  His favorite bible verse is John 3:16 which was shared with those that he met.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Evert Lee Knight and Blanche Lee (Palmer) Knight; his wife of 50 years Lillian Mae (Canter) Knight, married in Piggot, AR on March 24, 1949 and wife of 16 years, Jeanne Fern (Politte) Bliss Knight married in DeSoto, MO on February 27, 2003; one daughter, Dana Knight; three brothers: Loren (Georgia) Knight, Jack (Johnny) Knight and Arnold Knight; three sisters: Norma Knight, Alma Jean (Robert) McLane and Hilda (Don) Hansen.

He is survived by one daughter Doris Hopper of Nashville, TN – Doris’ children: Alessa Brakman, Franklin, TN, Danyelle (Craig) Dowling, Franklin, TN and Mylinda (Joshua) Vollet, Nashville, TN. Grandchildren:  Mason Scott, Chase Brakman, Gray Brakman, Kayleigh Vollet, Kinsley Vollet and Zoe Dowling.

Survived by Jeanne’s children: Wayne (Becky) Bliss of DeSoto, MO, Rhonda (Lance) Allen, Stilwell, KS and John (Cindy) Bliss, Imperial, MO. Grandchildren:  Sean (Stephanie) Bliss of DeSoto, MO. Dresden Striklin, Brianna Bishop, Krysten (Caedrynn) Conner, Keely Allen, Mackenzie (Damon) Comerio and Brennan (Josh) Hendrick.  Great-grandchildren: Samantha, Alyssa, Dylan, Bren, Auggie, Kayla, Ethan, Andraya, Tatum, Mykah, Liam, Mya, Lexi, Carmine, Gianna, Enzo, Mikko and Rooni.  Great-great grandchild:  Carson

Visitation will be at Dietrich-Mothershead on Saturday, July 1, 2023, 9:30 a.m. with funeral service at 11:00 and graveside service at Woodlawn Cemetery, DeSoto, MO.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest that you consider a donation to The American Heart Association or The DeSoto Food Pantry, Social Service, 705 E. Stone St., DeSoto, MO, 63020 in his honor.

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