Rosie Lee Knight

Rosie Lee Knight (Howell), a new resident of Suffolk, VA, unexpectedly passed after a short illness; on Saturday, August 29, 2020 at the age of 77 years. Rose was born in Amarillo, TX, on February 8, 1943 to Lloyd C Howell and Jewell Ruthella Howell (Bush) . She was the 2nd of 4 children. She and her family moved to Los Angeles when she was 12 years old and she resided there until her recent move to Virginia in April 2020. As she loved to remind us, Los Angeles was her home and we couldn’t just steal her away! She matriculated through the Los Angeles Unified School System and ultimately graduated from Manual Arts High School. Thereafter, she attended 2 years of college at Los Angeles City College, where she studied home economics and nursing. Rose met her future husband and life partner Willie D. at Tabernacle of Faith Church of God in Christ in 1967. They were married on April 5, 1968 and spent 52 years together, until he preceded her in death on April 6, 2020, just one day after their wedding anniversary. She was blessed with four natural children from this union, Twyla Yvette, Novel Christopher, Tisa Lynette and Tami Ronette. Rose was a devoted wife and mother and as such, she and Willie took in and cared for a host of foster children over the years. They formally adopted 4 children in 1997, Ruby Jewell, Reggie Isaiah, Laniser Bryan and Alexander. She always told them they were even more special because they were chosen. She also had a very special relationship with Dammeron McBride and Tranessa Brown and viewed them as another daughter and granddaughter. She loved all her children fiercely and wanted the absolute best for them. Prior to her marriage, she was employed as a nursing assistant and subsequently, she worked off and on as a teacher’s assistant at Loren Miller Elementary School, until she earned her Real Estate license. She worked many years as a licensed Real Estate professional and loved her work. She was employed primarily for Century 21, The Service Company and loved to don that gold jacket! She was very successful and helped establish and build the relocation arm of the business. She was a life-long learner and also studied to become a paralegal at 65 years old! She was extremely active in the Women’s department in church. As well, although she always adamantly stated she never desired to be married to a preacher, her most important job was at her husband’s side as wife and First Lady. Although not easy, she labored with him in this endeavor for 50 years; from his first pastorate in 1969 at Unity C.O.G.I.C until his last at Greater True Vine C.O.G.I.C in 2019. Anyone who knew her, knew she was a woman of strong convictions and not hesitant to share her thoughts and feelings. She was feisty, had a quick wit, an easy laugh and a sharp mind. She loved the color blue, dolls, shoes, beautiful clothes, her family and her friends. Rose was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Willie D Knight (4/6/20), parents, Sam and Jewell Howell; siblings, Ruth Howell and Sam Howell, children Twyla Yvette and Novel Christopher. Rose, will be lovingly remembered and missed by her surviving children, Tisa Knight-Chandler (Alfred), Tami Knight, Ruby Knight, Reggie Knight, Alexander Knight and Laniser Knight; Grandchildren, Wylie (Novel), Elliot, Earon, Eric and Alisa Rose (Tisa), Hudson (Reggie) and Matthias (Laniser); siblings, Doris M. Franklin and Ruby J. Nickelson, as well as numerous other family members and friends. A Celebration of Rose’s life will be held on Tuesday, September 8, at 11:00 a.m., at Zion Community Church-Port Norfolk, 300 Broad Street, Portsmouth VA. Rose’s remains will then be returned to Los Angeles for her services there and interment with her beloved husband, daughter and son.

Rosie Lee Knight

February 8, 1943 - August 29, 2020