03/02/2026
Mary C McKnight
August 11, 1932 - February 27, 2026
Obituary & Events
Mary C McKnight Obituary
With sorrow, Dimery and Rogers Funeral Home announces the passing of Mary C. McKnight. Please keep the family in your prayers during this difficult time.
Life’s Journey
Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” Proverbs 31:10
On Friday, February 27, 2026, Mother Mary C. McKnight peacefully slept into God’s eternal rest. She was born on August 11, 1932, in Williamsburg County, Kingstree, SC. She was the eldest child of Zack R. Cooper and Agnes McKnight Cooper.
She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Saviour at an early age and joined Bethesda United Methodist Church. She was an active member all her life even during her illness.
She attended school at Cooper’s Academy, Lake City, SC through the ninth grade and then transferred to Wilson High School in Florence, SC graduating with the Class of 1951. After completing high school, she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Morris College in Sumter, SC. She did further studies at South Carolina State College (SC State University) in Orangeburg, SC and Francis Marion College (now University) in Florence, SC. She began her teaching career at Cooper’s Academy and later moved to Cades Elementary & High School in Williamsburg County.
She was married to the late Laddie McKnight and to this union was born three children.
In 1960 she took a break in her teaching career and moved to Brockton, MA with her husband, Laddie and son, Lester. After a few years they returned to South Carolina where she continued her teaching career at Cades Elementary & High School. In 1968 they moved to Florence, SC and she taught at various schools in Florence School District One for twenty-one years.
After retiring from teaching, she volunteered at Hanna’s Day Care Center for a few years. She left the Day Care Center and was a caregiver to her husband until his death and later became a caregiver to her father until his death. In addition, she was a caregiver to many other family members and friends.
Mother Mary, as she was affectionately called by some, loved gardening and cooking. Her daytime activities consisted of watching her favorite soap opera, and two game shows: Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. She was also known for making the best potato salad and homemade biscuits.
Even though she was unable to attend service in person, she made sure her children would sign her onto the Prayer Line each Wednesday and make sure she was on the telephone lines for church service each Sunday also. That was her way of worshipping God with Believers.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Laddie, infant siblings, William David, Ethyel Virginia, and Rena. She was also preceded in death by Evelyn, Eddie, Sam, and Harry.
She leaves to cherish her memory with a multitude of loved ones. Her children, Lester M. McKnight (Jacqueline) of Columbia, SC, Kevin L. McKnight (Harriet) of the home in Florence, SC, and Paula M. Bell (William) of Mesquite, TX; her sisters, Eloise Cooper of Miami, Fl and Ada Graham of Ft. Washington, MD; her brothers, Zack Cooper, Sr. (Mary) of Cades, SC, Daniel Cooper (Nellie) and George Cooper (Betty) both of Lake City, SC. She was blessed to have a granddaughter/caregiver, Ms. Vati Y. Johnson, and a bonus grandchild, Ms.Natasha Davis. She had several other special grands and great grands along with
a host of nieces, nephews, family, friends, and caregivers that cared deeply for her
Visitation
Friday, March 6, 2026
5:00PM - 7:00PM
Dimery and Rogers Funeral Home - Florence 930 W. Sumter Street
Florence, SC 29501
Service
Saturday, March 7, 2026
11:00AM
Bethesda United Methodist Church
2000 Cade Road
Lake City, SC 29560
Final Resting Place
Dr. James Cemetery
White Oak Community
Lake City, SC 29560
