Barbara Knight Obituary

CONWAY - Barbara Jean Knight, longtime resident of Conway, finished her race on this earth Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, at her home surrounded by her family.

She was born Sept. 17, 1941, in the Mangrum community near Caraway, to Johnny Floyd Earls and Edna Huskey Earls. She spent all of her childhood and youth in her hometown of Bay. She lost her mother at age 11, an event that significantly shaped her life.

At the age of 5, she met the love of her life, Ted "Hook" Knight, the son of her mother's best friend. She and Hook attended school and church together, dated as teens and worked the cotton fields around Bay. They were married on July 24, 1958, and began their married life in Michigan City, Ind.

Their family was eventually blessed with two children, three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. The strength and joy that she brought to her family cannot be described.

Later in her life, she came to know her birth father, Dr. O.L. Baldridge Sr., and eventually grew close to the siblings she did not know as a child.

Barbara put Christ on in baptism at the age of 12 and lived a faithful Christian life the remainder of her days. She was a longtime member of Levy Church of Christ in North Little Rock. She cherished her role as a preacher's wife.

Beginning in 1959, she and Ted served in local ministry for churches in Arkansas, Indiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma. In 1991, they entered the mission field for churches of Christ, eventually working with churches in more than 45 states and in several districts throughout Romania. The depth of her influence as a Christian teacher and mentor is known only to God.

Few things intimidated Barbara. Her intelligence, sharp mind and keen wit served her well as she explored a wide array of interests. She loved to read, both for pleasure and to satisfy a lifelong hunger for learning.

For decades she maintained one of the most beautiful flower gardens in Conway, and she loved working with her hands in the dirt. She possessed an incredible ability to sell anything she wanted to sell.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Floyd Edward Earls, Johnny 'Pete" Earls and O.L. Baldridge Jr.; four sisters, Shirley Throgmorton, Melba "Jane" Tipton, Sybil Pretz and Nathalie Frazier; her mother-in-law, Dessie Knight, father-in-law, Herbert Knight and a stepmother, Bess Spencer Earls; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was loved deeply by her husband's seven siblings and their large, extended family.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Ted Knight of Conway; two sisters, Lin Rahrle of Jonesboro and Susie Cook of Sun Lakes, Ariz.; one brother, Noel Baldridge of Batesville; a son, Marty Knight and his wife Lisa of Conway; a daughter, Kathy Hall and her husband David of Conway; and three granddaughters, Brittany Harless and her husband Daniel and Melanie Bradford and her husband Matthew, all of Vilonia, and Kyndall Brown and her husband Erin of Conway.

She adored her great-grandchildren, Dessie McCarty, Cassi Harless, Derick Harless, Hailey Harless, Boston Bradford, Willow Bradford and Ember Bradford.

A celebration of her life will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Robinson and Center Church of Christ in Conway with her husband, son and granddaughter offering remarks. A private graveside service for the family will be held prior to the celebration service.

Pallbearers will be Marty Knight, Daniel Harless, Erin Brown, Derick Harless, David Hall and Matthew Bradford.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be sent to Levy Mission Evangelism, in care of Levy Church of Christ, 5124 Camp Robinson Road, North Little Rock 72118.

If flowers are sent, they should be delivered to Robinson and Center Church of Christ, 1505 Robinson Ave., Conway 72032 no earlier than Monday morning.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Lander Smith and the staff of Hospice Home Care for their care and guidance.

Online registry: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/conway