Isabelle Knight

Waynesville-Isabelle Porter Knight, age 97, passed away at Autumn Care Nursing Home on Thursday, February 17, 2005. Born on February 15, 1908 in Palm Beach County, Florida, she was the daughter of James H. and Ellen Jane Ferguson Porter. She was also preceded in death by her husband, George T. Knight who died in 1987; three brothers, Bill, Henry, and George Porter; a granddaughter; and two great grandsons. She is survived by two sons, Melburn and his wife, Ila, and William "Bill" and his wife, Arlene, of Balsam; one daughter, Georgia Thrower, of Columbus, Montana; 10 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and several great great grandchildren. Isabelle attended school in Lake Worth, Florida and spent her last two years of school at an elite finishing school for young ladies in Roanoke, VA. In 1926, her father met her at school and drove her to his summer home in Balsam, NC. There she met and fell in love with George Knight. It has been said that Isabelle was driving a horse and buggy to the old Knight's store when she got stuck in mud in front of the Knight home. George came out and lent a helping hand. When he went back inside the house, he asked his brother, John, if he had noticed the pretty girl stuck in the mud. He proceeded to tell John. "I intend to marry her one day." And he did! Thus began a love affair that would last more than 60 years. Mr. Knight passed away in 1987 from complications of Alzheimer's disease. Isabelle was a good mother, a wonderful grandmother, and a very special mother-in-law. She kept a very beautiful home and was a great cook. Often, on Sunday's or holidays, she would be in the kitchen with her hair all done, a beautiful dress, a fancy apron, and high heeled shoes on, cooking Christmas dinner or just a simple Sunday dinner. She was truly a gracious lady. She was very talented in many things including sewing and crafts. When she saw a dress or coat or something she liked in a magazine or in a store display, she would come home, cut out a newspaper pattern, and make the exact garment she had seen. When she was younger and more able, she was active in the East Sylva Baptist Church. Later, she joined the Balsam Baptist Church where she attended on a regular basis as long as she was able to do so. Every morning, she would go out on her porch and look to the heaven's and thank her Lord for letting her wake up just one more day. When she next awakens, 'twill be in the presence of the Lord Himself, whom she loved so much, and her suffering of the past several years will have ended. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 19, 2005 in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Homes & Cremation Services with Reverend Johnny Swanger and Reverend Charles Dean officiating. Burial will follow at Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday prior to the service. Serving as pallbearers will be James Beck, Johnny, Junior, and Sam Jones, David Knight, J. Pavey, and Gene Reece. Our thanks to those at Autumn Care Nursing Home who were so loving and kind, especially during these last few days. Memorials may be made to Gideon International, Haywood West Camp, P.O. Box 634, Waynesville, NC 28786.

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