Sarah Elizabeth Speck Knisley
12/29/2017
Sarah Elizabeth Speck Knisley, 94, went to heaven on Thursday, 29 December 2017 at Brookdale Kingsport. She was born in Morristown, TN on November 21, 1923 to Robert Lawrence Speck and Willie Mae Hasson Speck. After her childhood in Morristown, she matriculated to Winthrop College and graduated with the Class of 1945.
A homemaker and high school teacher of English, Sarah Liz was married for 52 years to the late Maynard ReMine Knisley. She was a proud and active Presbyterian for her entire life. Sarah Liz was also an active member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood for 52 years and served in the League of Womens Voters in the state of Florida.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by siblings Jane and James Speck, Mary Ellen Speck and Ruth Anne Speck Bacon as well as her nephew Joseph N. Bacon.
She is survived by her three children and their spouses. Dr. Kent R. Knisley (Kathy Crossley Petttet) of Millheim, Pennsylvania, Rev. Mark L. Knisley (Nancy Pierce) of Kingsport,TN, and Melinda E. Knisley, Esq. (Rob Croskery. Esq.) of Cincinnati, Ohio. She has seven beloved grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Brookdale Kingsport and Avalon Hospice for the special care they provided to Sarah Liz and her family.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Kingsport on Saturday, 13 January 2018 at 11:00 AM, with the family officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Winthrop University 701 Oakland Avenue Rock Hill, South Carolina 29733.
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EULOGIES & CONDOLENCES
01/05/2018
Marianne Beard
What a wonderful, wise woman. We were so lucky to have her in our
midst.
Sarah Liz has been a treasured part of my Christian journey ever since our first gathering in her New England Club apartment. That day she told me of her joy in reading the book God's Trombones by James Weldon Johnson. This poem from that book states so well what I believe our sister Sarah Liz would say
https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/go-down-death/
Especially noteworthy are the lines "And she whispered to us; I'm going home, And she smiled and closed her eyes" & "Weep not - weep not, She is not dead; She's resting in the bosom of Jesus."
The NEC worship community sends our deepest condolences to the family and praise for knowing this saint. Our world is a far better place because of "Saraliz!"
I'm so sorry to read that Saraliz has passed. What a
wonderful woman she was - and absolute lady. I knew
her for years at church and then at the New England
Club. We will all miss her.
Please accept my sincere condolences for your
recent loss. My heart goes out to you and your
family. I have always received comfort from the
Bibles’ word at Philippians 4:7 which reads “and
the peace of God that surpasses all
understanding will guard your heart and your
mental powers by means of Christ Jesus”.
I hope you can receive comfort from these words
as well. Margo Simmons
Mark I just read about your mother and I would like to offer my heartfelt sympathies. Losing a parent is awful and my thoughts are of you and your family. Love you Brother.
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