Dr Cecil B. Knight

Dr. Cecil B. Knight, age 81, resident of Cleveland, TN, passed away Saturday morning, June 16, 2007, at the family residence.

Dr. Cecil B. Knight has served in numerous ministerial capacities over his 64 year ministry. A native of Thomasville, Alabama, Dr. Knight was called to the ministry in 1943 at the age of 18. He was licensed the following year and was ordained in 1952, two years following his marriage to Evelyn Morris. Together, Cecil and Evelyn Knight have been a ministerial team for 57 years.

Following his education at Lee University (A.A., 1946) and the University of Southern Mississippi (B.S., 1948), Dr. Knights first pastorate was in Laurel. Mississippi (1947-50). Followed by Birmingham, Alabama (1950-54) and then Tampa, Florida from 1954-56. From there Dr. Knight began an administrative career in the Church of God that would expand the rest of his ministry. At the age of 31 he was elected to serve as assistant director of the youth and Christian education department. The four year term was followed by an election as national Sunday school and youth director from 1960-64. In 1964 Dr. Knight accepted his only stint as a state overseer, moving to Indiana to serve from 1964-68. In 1968 Dr. Knight was elected to serve as director of evangelism and home missions for two years until he was elected to the executive committee in 1970. From 1970-78 Dr. Knight served on the churchs highest governing body, including the highest office in the Church of God, General Overseer, from 1976-78.

Tenure limitations took Dr. Knight off of the executive committee in 1978, at which time he accepted the first full-time presidency of the Church of God Theological Seminary. He served from 1978-82 until he was again elected to the Executive Committee as assistant general overseer. The death of Seminary President J.H. Walker created a leadership void and Dr. Knight resigned his post on the executive committee to accept the presidency of the seminary again in January 1989. He served for the next nine years until 1998 at which time he became President Emeritus. Highlights of 13 years as president of the Seminary include being actively involved in funding, supervising and building the Seminarys main administrative office building and chapel (1980) and the second phase of the Curtsinger Ministry Center (1995). Since becoming President Emeritus, Dr. Knight has been recognized through installation in the prestigious Hall of Prophets (2000) and most recently the 2007 Lighthouse Award, given at the June 2 commencement exercises.

During his career with the Church of God, Dr. Knight rendered 23 years of unbroken service as an elected member of the International Executive Council, including 14 total years as a member of the Executive Committee.

Dr. Knights ministerial influence was felt across the country, around the world and in various denomination and para-church circles. During his ministry, Dr. Knight served with or was a member of the National Association of Evangelicals, Pentecostal Fellowship of North America, National Sunday School Association and the Cleveland Rotary Club. He was honored with honorary doctorate degrees from both Northwest Bible College and Lee University and was the author of two publications, Keeping the Sunday School Alive and Pentecostal Worship.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Evelyn Knight, four children and their spouses, Dewayne and Jane Knight, Delance and Candice Knight, Vedonna and Bruce Roberts and Victoria and Mike Eachus. Eleven grandchildren, Monica and Jon Rogers, Cameron Knight, Darren Knight and Evelyn Knight, Delance Knight, Jr., Victoria Nicole Knight, Meredith Roberts, David Roberts, Caleb Eachus, Seth Eachus, Elizabeth Eachus and Miriam Eachus. Three great grandchildren, Wesley, Susanna and Brigham. Two sisters also survive, Louise Dupree and Annie OBrien.

A Celebration of the Life and Ministry of Dr. Cecil Knight will be held Monday, June 18, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. at the North Cleveland Church of God with Dr. G. Dennis McGuire, General Overseer of the International Church of God, officiating. A private interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials please be made to the Dr. Cecil B. Knight Hall of the Prophets Memorial c/o Church of God Theological Seminary Cleveland, Tennessee.

The family will receive friends Monday, June 18, 2007, from 11 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the North Cleveland Church of God.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Grissom Funeral Home, Cleveland, TN. Phone 423.476.8575 for more information. You may send online condolences to www.grissomfh.net