Carolyn Knight

Carolyn Knight, 84, long-time resident of Siloam Springs, Ark, passed away Friday, March 25, 2016, at her home, surrounded by her daughters. She was born March 20, 1932 in Little Rock, Ark., the oldest of two children to George Henry and Augusta (Morris) Hand. Carolyn was raised in Yellville, Ark, and graduated from Yellville-Summit High School. She married her high school sweetheart, Bob Knight in 1950 and together raised five children. Even though divorced in 1974, they remained good friends up to Bob's death in 2012. She retired from Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital after 28 years of service. Carolyn loved the quiet life: feeding the birds, especially hummingbirds; playing her favorite game, Yahtzee; going on special trips with family members; and reading every book she could get her hands on. Carolyn especially loved the Christmas season with her family and it was not uncommon to see her decorations up as early as September. Carolyn was a long-time member of the Community Christian Fellowship Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; her step-father, Tom Wacaster; sister, Connie Robison; daughter, Nancy; son, Bobby: and infant grandson, Kevin Knight. Carolyn is survived by her daughters, Beth Patterson and husband, Joe of Stone Mountain, Ga.; Shirley Stafford and husband, Lester of Surf City, N.C.; and Susan Knight Harder of Siloam Springs, Ark; daughter-in-law, Jane Anne Knight of Tulsa, Okla.; eight grandchildren, Courtney Patterson, Zach Patterson, Nancy Nix, Eric Stafford, Ryan Knight, Laurie Knight, Michael Knight and Carolyn (Carrie) Harder; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Tommie Grim, of Prairie Grove, Ark.; brother, Jim Wacaster and wife Renetta of Springdale, Ark.; many nieces, nephews, cousins & lifelong childhood friends; best friend, Polly Steele of Bates City, Mo.; and her precious cat, Baby. A special thanks to the staff of the Willard Walker Hospice Center in Fayetteville, particularly Stanley Bradley, MD; Chaplain, Ken Hargis; social worker, Julie Moore; nurses, Monica Allen and Teresa Fulks; and aide, Vickie Stevens Calvert. They were such a blessing to Carolyn and her daughters. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home in Siloam Springs. Celebration of Carolyn's life will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday March 30, 2016 at Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home with Chaplain Ken Hargis officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests gifts may be made in her name to the Willard Walker Hospice Home, 325 E. Longview St., Fayetteville, 72703 or to the Friends of the Siloam Springs Library Foundation, P.O. Box 6723, Siloam Springs, Ark. 72761. To sign the online guest book visit www.backstrom-pyeatte.com.