Joyce Blankenship Knight

Joyce Blankenship Knight, a Lakeland, FL, resident for 25 years, passed away peacefully at home with friends and family on June 8, 2023. She was 92. Born in Rome, GA, in 1930, and graduating high school in Atlanta,

Joyce earned her associate degree from the University of Georgia’s Atlanta Extension. She then served as a stewardess for Eastern Airlines, a time she would fondly recall for the rest of her life.

She was married to J. Perry Knight, of Dublin, Georgia (they met in Atlanta while he was attending Georgia Tech on a Naval ROTC scholarship) for nearly 60 years before his death in 2013.

She is survived by her children: Jefferson P. Knight, Jane K. Phillips (Mark), Nancy Knight (Laura Edsberg), and Julie K. Brown (David); by seven grandchildren: Drew Phillips, Gabrielle Knight, Laura Phillips, Kellie Phillips, Perry Knight, Carter, and Cody Brown; her brother, Clyde “Buddy” Blankenship; and by former daughter-in-law Vivien Knight, as well as many loving nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her daughter Sallie Knight, and sisters June B. Peterson and Jane B. Johns.

The family will be having a private remembrance at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Bonnet Springs Park (bonnetspringspark.com/donate) or Children’s Hope Alliance (childrenshopealliance.org).

Joyce’s children want to thank the amazing team of helpers who assisted Joyce in the last years and months of her life: Sherley, Jan, Pam, Penny, Tammy, Melissa, Ana and especially the incomparable Isabelle Baker and Alex Neeper.