Ms. Mary Lee Maxey Knight

Mary Lee Maxey was born April 27, 1929 in Wynona, Texas to LuElla Moore and Rosco Maxey (Allen). She and her twin sister, Minnie Lee, were the first two of 18 children. She married James Raymond Lilly in 1944 and gave birth to Raymond James Lilly. She later married Willie Lee Knight and had five more children: Willie Edward, Alvin O’Neal, Marion Novell, Franklin Isaiah, and Kevin Morrel.

She first accepted the Lord as a very young lady in Tyler, Texas and later, recommitted herself to the Lord at St. John Church in God in Christ in Los Angeles under Pastor Noah Shumate, Sr. There she served as a leader in YPWW and of the Purity Class. After moving to Dallas, she joined Lighthouse COGIC under Elder Edward Calloway where she has taught Sunday School and served most recently on the Mothers’ Board under the current pastor, Superintendent Michael Clerkley.

She has been a faithful member and a serious prayer warrior! She has upheld everyone she knows in faithful and consistent prayer knowing that the prayers of the righteous availeth much. No matter the worry, she would say “Just pray, baby; Just pray.” And pray, she did. She was on a 5 am prayer line for many years as well as attended many noon-day prayer services. She did her best to remember and encourage everyone she knew. Who hasn’t received a birthday card with a $2 bill and a Christian bookmark from her?

The Lord has sustained her through several major illnesses and she continued to thank and praise the Lord right until He called her home on September 3, 2016.

Preceding her in death, were her parents; her other mother, Mama Goldie Allen; two sons, Willie Edward Knight and Alvin O’Neal Knight; her brother Argusta Allen,;her sisters Minnie Lee Tinsley and Alva Lee Cook; grandchildren Alvin Knight Jr, Gyno Bell, Willie Searcy, and Toweka Searcy; and great friend and caretaker, Gwen Sessions.

Left to mourn her passing are her children - Raymond Lilly of Palmdale, CA, Marion Wilson of Los Angeles, CA, Franklin Knight of Dallas, TX, and Kevin (Tracey) Knight of Frisco, TX; brothers and sisters - Elizabeth Ann Cook of Dallas, TX, Winifred Henson, Addie Payton, Betty Byrd, Virchie Key, Crystal Waters, Herbert Allen, Rosco Allen Jr, Larry Allen, Rickey Allen, Michael Allen, Michelle Allen, Royce Allen, and Joyce Sessions, all of Tyler, TX; grandchildren – Raquel Lilly, Rashaun Lilly, Jamie Lilly, Willette (Kurt) Williams, Paula (Cecil) Thompson, Pamela Knight, Carolyn Knight, Precious Knight, Abdullah Martin, Maryetta Moore, Misty Word, Aphrodite Wilson, Theoressa Wilson, Rochelle Knight, Shanique Knight, Jermaine Searcy, Keenon Miles, Natoya Miles, Kevin Haigler-Knight, and Kara Knight; 45 great grandchildren; and outstanding friends who’ve given tremendously of themselves in support of Mother Knight – Sis. Alene Smith, Sis. Rue Taylor, and Sis. Sheila Holland.