John Marsh Knight

John Marsh Knight left his home here on Earth to join Jesus and his beloved wife, Betty Ruth Christian Knight in Heaven on June 5, 2014.


He was born on February 19, 1929 in a log cabin on his home place, Pinedale, to Eula Evelyn Gibbs Knight and Floyd Sweet Knight. He and his ten siblings grew up living, playing, worshipping God and working in the peaceful woods of Northeast Georgia. They stayed active climbing trees, jumping the creek, cutting firewood and completing other chores for their devoted mother and artist father. Home schooled decades before it became popular, John was ready to head out into the big world at the tender age of 17. So in 1947, before he was even eligible, he joined the army and served in Japan during reconstruction following WWII. He was always pleased to say he saluted General MacArthur during his time there.


Back in his hometown of Clarkesville after the war, he met and married his sweetheart, the late Betty Ruth Christian, while attending Piedmont College. They had five children, Emily, Joan, Paul, Carol and Barb. John and Betty's family has since grown to include 10 grand children and 8 great grand children. John felt great responsibility to care for his family and as a result, he worked diligently for 38 years as a salesman for the Edward Don & Company, which is based in Chicago. He was held in high esteem by both his employer and his customers for his honesty and loyalty. He became the top salesman outside of the Chicago area. An example of John's sweet nature is that he made a point of acquainting himself with ALL of the people associated with establishments he sold to, from the janitors to the CEOs.


John was a man of nature. He loved walking in any form...from hiking the trails of Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee to strolling the sidewalks of Demorest. During his lifetime he day hiked 200 miles of the Appalachian Trail, carrying his little can of Vienna Sausage and a bottle of water for lunch-on-a-log. He had a long standing tradition of hiking up Mount Pinnacle every year around his birthday. A peaceful sunset; the beautiful phases of the moon; the constellations of the nighttime sky; the fresh smell of the woods and sitting by a blazing fire pleased John. He felt close to God on top of Black Rock State Park and at Tallulah Falls. He also cherished spending time with his large and loving family, both immediate and extended.


Always willing to help others, John was a kind and gentle soul. He donated blood to the American Red Cross for years; supported a variety of Christian charities; and stopped many times on the road to help stranded drivers. His faith in God was unshakeable and he walked through life with Jesus in his heart. John was a beloved lifelong member of Clarkesville Baptist Church and he drew strength from his extensive church family.


All who knew him will hold dear in their hearts the many wonderful memories of this gentle man who touched each of our lives in so many different and loving ways.


A memorial service is scheduled for 3:00 p.m., on Sunday, June 8, 2014 at Clarkesville Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until the memorial service hour at the church.


In lieu of flowers, it would honor this generous man, if you felt inspired to donate in memory of his sweet life to either Hospice of NGMC Medical Center Auxiliary, Inc. 743 Spring Street , Gainesville, Georgia 30501(www.nghs.com/love light) or Samaritan's Purse P.O. Box 3000 Boone, North Carolina 28607.


Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, 245 Central Ave. Demorest, Georgia. 706-778-1700