Leona Mary Knight
Leona Mary Knight, 90, passed away on May 12, 2021, at Orchard Manor in Grove City following a long illness.
Leona was born on Feb. 10, 1931, near Harrisville, and was the daughter of the late Chester Calvin and Ethel Leona (Horton) Martin.
In 1948, Leona married Thomas West Rodemoyer and moved to the Slippery Rock area, where she lived most of her life.
Tom was killed in a car accident on Feb. 9, 1959. In 1972, Leona married Charles Edward Knight, who passed away on April 15, 1981, following an illness.
Leona worked most of her life for numerous companies and organizations in Butler and Mercer counties, including the A&P, Avon, Sears, Kmart, Kennametal, and Slippery Rock Area School District. In 2010, Leona retired at age 80 from Grove City College, where she worked for 27 years as a server in the main dining hall.
Leona grew up on a farm during the Great Depression and World War II. It was a hard life, but Leona was determined to attend school and obtained her high school diploma. She began her schooling at Ray and Wood Schools, one-room schools in Marion Township, Butler County. During the war, she attended Franklin High School for a short time, while her mother worked at a war plant. After the war, she returned to the family farm, and in 1948, she graduated from Harrisville High School.
Leona was an excellent student and shared her love of learning with her children and grandchildren. Leona also enjoyed seeing her former classmates. She was a regular attendee at her one-room and high school reunions. For seven years before the pandemic, Leona organized the reunions for the former students of the Ray, Wood, Van Dyke and McDermott schools. Leona enjoyed seeing her friends each summer, and reminiscing about their experiences attending one-room schoolhouses and growing up in the local area.
Leona was a lifelong member of Highland Presbyterian Church in Slippery Rock. She enjoyed attending Sunday school, singing, and reading the monthly book club selections.
Leona was a kind and generous person and loved by many. She had a great sense of humor and a positive attitude that helped her overcome whatever difficulties came her way. She also loved flowers, especially red roses, and caring for her pets that included, at one time, ponies, geese, ducks, chickens, dogs and cats.
Leona cheered on the Pittsburgh Pirates, and was a fan of old-time country music. Leona took pride in her appearance, and enjoyed shopping and getting her hair done. She was also a good cook, and made the most delicious pies, cobblers and bread, but her fried dough was the best.
Leona is survived by her five children, Gaylord (Debi) Rodemoyer of Grove City, Linda Forrest of Slippery Rock, Edward (Jean) Rodemoyer of Butler, Patricia Rodemoyer of Slippery Rock, and Tamara (James) Rothenberger of Jonestown, Pa.; six grandchildren, Emily Rodemoyer of Pacific Grove, Calif., Thomas E. Rodemoyer of Grove City, Christopher Rodemoyer of Pittsburgh, Matthew (Jeana) Forrest of Gray, Ga., Katie (Tyler) Forrest-Davis of Williamsburg, Va., and Lauren Rothenberger of Jonestown, Pa.; and four great-grandchildren, Isabelle, Gunner, Rebecca and Rachel.
In addition to her two husbands, Leona was preceded in death by her beloved brothers, Donald and Richard Coast.
KNIGHT — The family of Leona Knight, who died Wednesday, May 12, 2021, will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Smith Funeral Home, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Highland Presbyterian Church, 310 Franklin St., Slippery Rock, with Pastor Clark Sawyer officiating.
Interment will be at Prairie Cemetery in Harrisville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Highland Presbyterian Church, or a charity of your choice.
