Joseph McPherson McKnight, 91, died Saturday, August 26, 2017.
He was born in Claussen, South Carolina, a son of the late Daniel and Ella McPherson McKnight, and the third generation to be born in the family plantation home. He graduated from Florence High School and attended The Citadel for two years. In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves, but was immediately called to active duty at age 18. World War II was raging, and after reporting to Ft. Bragg, NC, and a brief training period of maneuvers, he was shipped to La Havre, France. After witnessing the sunken remains of war ships, he knew he was no longer on maneuvers. This war was for real. He was a medic in the 97th Infantry Division, and his battalion was assigned to a town on the Rhine River, where it was his duty to transport the wounded soldiers to a field hospital. He served in the European Theatre, but mostly in Germany. After being transferred to Patton’s Third Army as the war was winding down, his medical detachment was sent to Japan. He served there for a brief period of time when the war ended and he was discharged in 1946. Mr. McKnight continued his service in the Army Reserves, training troops for active duty, including for the Korean War, until 1985.
It was during this time in 1951, while stationed at Fort Rucker, AL, that he met and married Jeannette Baker, and returned to Florence. He was retired from the U.S. Postal Service as Assistant Postmaster.
Mr. McKnight was an active, life-long member of Hopewell Presbyterian Church. He held many positions in the church, including Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon, and Elder. He was most proud of his work on the Hopewell Cemetery Committee, on which he served for 42 years. As Cemetery Trustee, he was instrumental in having the Cemetery and Church registered on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
In November 1947 Mr. McKnight was made a Master Mason at the Flintville Lodge where he continues to serve as the Past District Grand Master. He served as Master of the Lodge in 1985 and 1991. He served as District Deputy Grand Master from 1994-1996.
He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Jeannette Baker McKnight; a brother, Daniel L. McKnight, of Charleston, SC; and a sister, Erminie McKnight Nave of Greenwood, SC.
He was born in Claussen, South Carolina, a son of the late Daniel and Ella McPherson McKnight, and the third generation to be born in the family plantation home. He graduated from Florence High School and attended The Citadel for two years. In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves, but was immediately called to active duty at age 18. World War II was raging, and after reporting to Ft. Bragg, NC, and a brief training period of maneuvers, he was shipped to La Havre, France. After witnessing the sunken remains of war ships, he knew he was no longer on maneuvers. This war was for real. He was a medic in the 97th Infantry Division, and his battalion was assigned to a town on the Rhine River, where it was his duty to transport the wounded soldiers to a field hospital. He served in the European Theatre, but mostly in Germany. After being transferred to Patton’s Third Army as the war was winding down, his medical detachment was sent to Japan. He served there for a brief period of time when the war ended and he was discharged in 1946. Mr. McKnight continued his service in the Army Reserves, training troops for active duty, including for the Korean War, until 1985.
It was during this time in 1951, while stationed at Fort Rucker, AL, that he met and married Jeannette Baker, and returned to Florence. He was retired from the U.S. Postal Service as Assistant Postmaster.
Mr. McKnight was an active, life-long member of Hopewell Presbyterian Church. He held many positions in the church, including Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon, and Elder. He was most proud of his work on the Hopewell Cemetery Committee, on which he served for 42 years. As Cemetery Trustee, he was instrumental in having the Cemetery and Church registered on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
In November 1947 Mr. McKnight was made a Master Mason at the Flintville Lodge where he continues to serve as the Past District Grand Master. He served as Master of the Lodge in 1985 and 1991. He served as District Deputy Grand Master from 1994-1996.
He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Jeannette Baker McKnight; a brother, Daniel L. McKnight, of Charleston, SC; and a sister, Erminie McKnight Nave of Greenwood, SC.
Joseph McPherson McKnight, 91, died Saturday, August 26, 2017.
He was born in Claussen, South Carolina, a son of the late Daniel and Ella McPherson McKnight, and the third generation to be born in the family plantation home. He graduated from Florence High School and attended The Citadel for two years. In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves, but was immediately called to active duty at age 18. World War II was raging, and after reporting to Ft. Bragg, NC, and a brief training period of maneuvers, he was shipped to La Havre, France. After witnessing the sunken remains of war ships, he knew he was no longer on maneuvers. This war was for real. He was a medic in the 97th Infantry Division, and his battalion was assigned to a town on the Rhine River, where it was his duty to transport the wounded soldiers to a field hospital. He served in the European Theatre, but mostly in Germany. After being transferred to Patton’s Third Army as the war was winding down, his medical detachment was sent to Japan. He served there for a brief period of time when the war ended and he was discharged in 1946. Mr. McKnight continued his service in the Army Reserves, training troops for active duty, including for the Korean War, until 1985.
It was during this time in 1951, while stationed at Fort Rucker, AL, that he met and married Jeannette Baker, and returned to Florence. He was retired from the U.S. Postal Service as Assistant Postmaster.
Mr. McKnight was an active, life-long member of Hopewell Presbyterian Church. He held many positions in the church, including Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon, and Elder. He was most proud of his work on the Hopewell Cemetery Committee, on which he served for 42 years. As Cemetery Trustee, he was instrumental in having the Cemetery and Church registered on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
In November 1947 Mr. McKnight was made a Master Mason at the Flintville Lodge where he continues to serve as the Past District Grand Master. He served as Master of the Lodge in 1985 and 1991. He served as District Deputy Grand Master from 1994-1996.
He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Jeannette Baker McKnight; a brother, Daniel L. McKnight, of Charleston, SC; and a sister, Erminie McKnight Nave of Greenwood, SC.
He was born in Claussen, South Carolina, a son of the late Daniel and Ella McPherson McKnight, and the third generation to be born in the family plantation home. He graduated from Florence High School and attended The Citadel for two years. In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves, but was immediately called to active duty at age 18. World War II was raging, and after reporting to Ft. Bragg, NC, and a brief training period of maneuvers, he was shipped to La Havre, France. After witnessing the sunken remains of war ships, he knew he was no longer on maneuvers. This war was for real. He was a medic in the 97th Infantry Division, and his battalion was assigned to a town on the Rhine River, where it was his duty to transport the wounded soldiers to a field hospital. He served in the European Theatre, but mostly in Germany. After being transferred to Patton’s Third Army as the war was winding down, his medical detachment was sent to Japan. He served there for a brief period of time when the war ended and he was discharged in 1946. Mr. McKnight continued his service in the Army Reserves, training troops for active duty, including for the Korean War, until 1985.
It was during this time in 1951, while stationed at Fort Rucker, AL, that he met and married Jeannette Baker, and returned to Florence. He was retired from the U.S. Postal Service as Assistant Postmaster.
Mr. McKnight was an active, life-long member of Hopewell Presbyterian Church. He held many positions in the church, including Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon, and Elder. He was most proud of his work on the Hopewell Cemetery Committee, on which he served for 42 years. As Cemetery Trustee, he was instrumental in having the Cemetery and Church registered on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
In November 1947 Mr. McKnight was made a Master Mason at the Flintville Lodge where he continues to serve as the Past District Grand Master. He served as Master of the Lodge in 1985 and 1991. He served as District Deputy Grand Master from 1994-1996.
He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Jeannette Baker McKnight; a brother, Daniel L. McKnight, of Charleston, SC; and a sister, Erminie McKnight Nave of Greenwood, SC.
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