Freda Delores Knight

Freda Delores Allison Knight passed away on June 5, 2023. She was born January 12, 1941, in the Halls Creek Community of Humphreys County, TN. The ninth of ten children born to Austin and Anna Pearl Allison. She attended the Hillcrest School and graduated from Waverly Central High School. She married her lifelong friend and love, Robert J. (Bob) Knight, on December 2, 1961. The two remained together and devoted to each other for over 61 years until the day she died. A devoted wife she followed where Bob’s job took them through Copperas Cove, TX, Clinton, Iowa, Maryville, IL, Pensacola, FL, and finally, to Baton Rouge, LA where they lived for nearly 50 years, although she always considered Tennessee her home.

Freda was the mother of three adoring children and six grandchildren. She also welcomed six more grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren through marriage. Freda was a bit of a tomboy and was known for her athletic ability and love of sports. She played high school basketball and the trumpet in the marching band. She later channeled that love to coaching many softball teams as her children grew including the Rookies, the Bandits, and assisting at Woodlawn High School. She was well known as a volunteer for the Panther Pushers at Woodlawn High School where she later went to work as a full-time employee. Throughout her days at WHS, she led a number of fundraising projects for the school and athletics including the Annual Ats and Crafts Fair and taking over as Co-Director of the Early Bird Classic Girls Softball Tournament for countless years. She was a member of Halls Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Waverly, TN, and Faith Presbyterian in Baton Rouge, LA.

Freda was a kind and gentle woman who ruled with an iron fist when necessary, and everyone knew when to have a good time and when to toe the line with her, except maybe her grandchildren. She will long be remembered for her devotion to her family, church, and youth sports.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Austin and Anna Pearl Allison; siblings, Alfred Allison, Mary Dee Allison, Lorena Roberts, Margaret (Max) Forrest, Dorothy (Melvin) Hedrick, Patsy (Jimmy) Fowlkes, Alton (Martha) Allison, Retha Ann Allison; and her grandson, Wyatt J. Saurage.

She is survived by her best friend and husband, Robert Knight; children, Sharon Pater (Marc), Billy Knight (Linda), and Karen Saurage (Michael); grandchildren, Lauren Berthelot, Ashley, Victoria, and Heather Knight, and Cade Saurage. She is also survived by her brother, Martin H. Allison (Margie), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will take place at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816, on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, beginning at 5:00 PM until 7:30 PM. Visitation will continue Thursday, June 8, 2023, beginning at 9:00 AM until services at 10:00 AM. Another visitation will take place at Humphreys County Funeral Home, 217 East Main Street, Waverly, Tennessee 37185, on Saturday, June 10, 2023, beginning at 12:00 PM until services at 3:00 PM. Burial to follow at J. A. Knight Cemetery in Waverly, Tennessee.

Pallbearers will include Tim Fowlkes, Cade Saurage, Marty Allison, Austin Allison, Jimmy Frazee, and Trent Frazee.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association of Louisiana.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com.