Mrs. Lillie A. Mcknight 'La'

Mrs. Lillie Anna McKnight, affectionately known as L.A., made her transition from this life on Sunday, July 5, 2015 after a brief illness. Our L.A. was born January 23rd, 1933 in Alligator, Mississippi to the late John and Lillie (Washington) Parham.
She was a strong Christian woman who loved the Lord, her husband, her children, family and friends as well. Gone to receive her reward and to walk the streets paved with gold, with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, LA will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Mrs. McKnight was a member of the Made in His Image Church of God in Christ (COGIC), Elder Herbert Morris, Pastor. She served on the MOTHERS Board. She was self-employed as the owner and operator of the Perkins Bar and Sundowns Restaurant for many years until they closed. LA, and her husband Joseph, owned many rental homes and apartment units throughout Saginaw, and were former members of the Saginaw Landlords Association.
L.A. was an excellent cook, especially her greens and hot water cornbread. She could hang drywall, paneling, lay carpet, and repair plumbing fixtures. She was a good listener, unselfish, nonjudgmental, and full of joy and life, and was always willing to lend a helping hand whenever called upon. She was a genuinely sweet person. L.A. was a foster mother who loved, cared and protected some of the children in the foster care program. She was also very supportive of her family, church, and friends. No matter what, she was there. We will miss her beautiful smile, but we take comfort and joy in knowing that her spirit will live on with us forever.
Our beloved LA leaves to cherish her precious memory and legacy, her husband, Joseph McKnight; daughters, Yvonnia V. McKnight, Grand Rapids, Michigan, TaKiea, and NaKayla McKnight, Saginaw, Michigan; three sons, Demetrius (Angelia) McKnight, Hudsonville, Michigan, Lavise Hood and Christopher Brown of Saginaw, Michigan; step-son, Felix McKnight, New Orleans, Louisiana; eight grandchildren, Shawanta McKnight and Joseph McKnight III of Saginaw, Michigan, Frank(Drica) McKnight and DaMarcus McKnight, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Demetrius Jr., Dominique, Ashanti and DaKari McKnight, all of Hudsonville, Michigan; twelve great-grandchildren and three special goddaughters, niece, Ms. Sherron Lee, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Tiffany Pruitt, Saginaw, Michigan, and Ronda Libbett of Grand Rapids, Michigan; two sisters, Dorothy Parham Kemp and Annie Mae Davis of Saginaw, Michigan; one brother, John T. JT Parham of Burt, Michigan; one aunt, Marguerite Washington, Saginaw, Michigan; brother-in-Law, Ike (Luna) McKnight of Mississippi; sister-in-law, Sylvia (Dodie) Parham, Saginaw, Michigan; numerous nieces including four special nieces, Sophina McKnight and family, Janice Parham, Ruth (Edward) Harrison and Barbara (Bob) Kemp-Lauria; many nephews including two special nephews, Percy (Wanda) Parham Jr., and Ernest Parham Jr.; many cousins including James Washington of Saginaw Michigan; many other relatives and friends including the Grant family, her church family and special friends, Mrs. Hilda Winbush, Ms. Betty Stringer, Mother Eva Morris, Mr. & Mrs. Spencer Pearson and Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Moore.
LA was preceded in death by her parents, Johnny and Lillie (Washington) Parham, daughter, Lena Mae Willis, stepson, Joseph McKnight Jr., sisters, Polly and Ruby Parham, brothers, William, Earnest, Charlie and Percy Parham; numerous other family members and friends.
We would like to extend a special thank you to Elder Morris and the Made In His Image COGIC church family; All Nations Prayer Tower COGIC, Elder Jerry and Mrs. Rose Myles of Immanuel COGIC; Ivan E. Phillips and the staff at Paradise Funeral Chapel, and most of all, our family and friends for the love and support shown to us at this time.
Visitation: Friday, July 10, 2015 - 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Paradise Funeral Chapel
3100 South Washington Avenue
Saginaw, Michigan 48601
(989)754-4826
Celebration of Life: Saturday, July 11, 2015 - 11:00 a.m.
Family Hour: 10:00 a.m.
Paradise Funeral Chapel
3100 South Washington Avenue
Saginaw, Michigan 48601
(989)754-4826
Officiating: Elder Herbert Morris, Made In His Image Church of God in Christ
Interment: Forest Lawn Cemetery