Charles Michael "Mike" Knight, 78, of Red Banks, passed away at Baptist Hospital in Collierville on January 13, 2024. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on December 29, 1945, to Justus Lamar Knight and Sara Newell Wright Knight. Mr Knight was a United States Marine and a truck driver.
Mike loved the home he and Kelly built on his great grandparents' homestead in Red Banks. His roots were there, and it was a part of his childhood. He always had the urge to see what was out there, and he loved to travel. It was in his travels to Connecticut to visit his brother Buddy (Lamar) in 1975 that led him to his beloved Kelly, whom he knew that he wanted to marry, but lost touch with. It was a roundabout journey, but the two reunited and married years later, in 1998.
He spent more time traveling, and in 1977, he made the decision to move to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where his accent earned him the nickname "Memphis". He lived for a few years across Teton Pass, in Idaho, before coming back to Memphis. He never lost the wanderlust, even after happily settling down with Kelly in their Red Banks home. He and Kelly traveled extensively, visiting many of the nation's National Parks-- with Kelly wanting a definite plan and knowing where they'd sleep that night, and Mike wanting to go wherever the four winds took them--more of a free-form Itinerary.
Mike was sometimes a man of few words, but he had many interests. Mike and his older brother, Buddy, shared a love of old cars, so, naturally, the Red Banks home has a large workshop where he could work on his prized 1932 Chevy. He loved baseball caps and had quite a collection from the many places he visited, and from companies where he worked. He also loved animals. Kelly rescues dogs and cats, and Mike would soon become attached to them. He leaves behind his much-loved dog, Wilson, and his cat Gracie. He also leaves behind friends of more than fifty years who loved him dearly.
Mike is survived by his wife, Kelly Marie Kerrigan Knight, a daughter, Stephanie Knight Compton of Southaven, and a granddaughter, Cheyenne Compton Santens (Austin). He also leaves a sister, SallyeAnne Knight Springfield (William) of Southaven, and several nieces and nephews, as well as lifelong friends. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Lamar Newell Knight and a grandson, Christian Shea Compton.
Graveside services for Mr Knight will be held on Monday, January 22, 2024, at 2:00 pm, at Red Banks Baptist Church Cemetery. The Holly Springs Funeral Home has charge. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association.
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