Mary Lou Knight

Mary Lou Knight, 92 years old of Shawnee, OK, died peacefully at home Wednesday, March 21, 2017 with her daughter and son by her side. Her death followed a brief illness complicated by congestive heart failure. Services will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, March 25th, 2017 at Walker Funeral Chapel in Shawnee, OK. Jimmy Gibson and Danny Napier will conduct the services celebrating Mary Lou’s life.  Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park in Shawnee, OK. The family will be at the funeral home Friday evening from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to receive friends. Mary Lou was born February 26, 1925 at home 4 miles southeast of Shawnee, OK to William “Bill” Ingram and Lela Mae Ingram.  She was very proud of her rural background and education at South Rock Creek and Shawnee High School.  Mary Lou married the love of her life, Raymond M. Knight on October 10, 1941 on a farm southeast of Shawnee, OK.    They were married 60 years before his death in 2001.  Together they had a son, Robert A. Knight of Shawnee Oklahoma, and a daughter, Bette S. Bassford, now of Independence, Kansas.  Also surviving, son-in-law, Craig Bassford and Robert’s fiancé, Johnice Hall.  Surviving Grandchildren are Julie Lair and husband Scott Pester of Olathe, KS, Matthew and wife Jennifer Lair of Dewey, OK and Jason and wife Lisa Knight of Shawnee, OK.  Great-Grandchildren are Bella and Cooper Line of Olathe, KS;  Brody, Avery, Carlee and Cason Lair of Dewey, OK; and Emma and Jack Knight of Shawnee, OK.  Preceeding Mary Lou in death were her parents, husband and daughter-in-law, Patricia N. Knight. Mary Lou grew up in Shawnee but moved for a few years to Boca Raton, Florida, with Raymond and his role in the military.  Following their brief stint in Florida, she and Raymond moved back home to the Bethel Community and eventually settled in the South Rock Creek Community on Hardesty Road.  Mary Lou’s greatest accomplishments were being a loving and caring Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother who always devoted quality time to her family.  The young ones benefitted from parties to month long trips on the road in Pappaw and Mammaw’s motor home.   She was very devoted to her church, Rock Creek Baptist, and served the church in many ways including Treasury duties, Organist and Sunday School Teacher. She single handedly designed and developed the Spunky Ridge Addition Southeast of Shawnee that covered approximately 160 acres.  She was a true entrepreneur: selling lots and building custom homes and spec homes for single family dwellings.  She farmed and lived on Hardesty Road for 50 years and other locations Southeast of Shawnee.  Wheat, Alfalfa and Registered Angus were their primary production.  Mary Lou and Raymond were partners in the family farm and life itself.  They took a 4 room house and about 300 acres and turned it into a large family operation.  Hard work and perseverance was their mantra. Mary Lou enjoyed many things, but especially enjoyed the many trips with Raymond and the Grandkids,  their Winter trips to their Florida Property, and their Summer Trips to Lake Tenkiller.  Mary Lou, “Mammaw,” left a legacy of love and many joyful memories for her family to cherish for their lifetimes. Loving Care provided both Private Duty and Hospice Care to her and her family.  They all were very professional and kind at all times.  Special thanks to Mary Nichols for 3 Years of pampering this very special lady. For those wishing to acknowledge the life of Mary Lou Knight, the family asks that you consider a contribution to a charity that helps educate young people.  Supporting and encouraging education was very important to Mom.