KNIGHT, Ada May (Gay) 1916-2006

KNIGHT, GAY, TURNMIRE, GAAR

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 2/9/2012 at 13:26:26

Ada May (Gay) Knight – June 26, 1916 – October 15, 2006

#1:

Ada May Knight was born on June 26, 1916, in northern Iowa near Osage. She was the eldest of three children born to Tessie Turnmire and Roy Gay.

Ada graduated from Riceville High School. She attended Iowa Teacher's College and taught rural schools.

On Oct. 7, 1943, Ada married Alton Everett Knight. To this union two daughters were born. The couple farmed for many years. In 1969 they moved to Orange City where they lived until 2001. Ada and her husband wintered in Mission, Texas for 16 years. She learned to swim and ride a bicycle at the age of 75. Ada developed a chronic respiratory condition that remained undiagnosed until 1975. This left her ill and frail during the 1970s, thereafter fragile appearing. Nevertheless, she was a woman of great faith in God. A true prayer warrior, she would awaken during the night to pray for a particular individual or situation. She wrote letters relentlessly, offering words of comfort or encouragement and always offering her testimony of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Ada and Alton were married for 55 years before his death in 1998. A biblically subservient wife, Ada's true strength and spirit were not apparent until widowhood. Ada returned to Texas on her own in 2000 and 2003. At the urging of her daughters, Ada moved to Knoxville in 2001 to be near family -- downsizing to apartment living. Soon after, it was discovered that she had tongue cancer and underwent her first operation at the age of 86. She learned to talk again but had trouble eating, gradually losing weight from her tiny frame. She remained optimistic, valiant and displayed the dry wit of her British heritage always. Ada was well known for her unique gift of prophecy.

Ada May (Gay) Knight at last went home to meet her Savior on Oct. 15, 2006, at the age of 90. At her request, Ada became an anatomical donation for the University of Iowa Medical School.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband and sister, Iola Marjorie Schram.
Those left to mourn her passing are two daughters, Dr. Alda Knight of Knoxville and Aleda Gaar and her husband, Shan of Cape Coral, Fla.; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, and one sister, Dorothy Wallace of Riceville.

A Celebration of Life was held on Oct. 21 at the New Covenant Church in Knoxville with Pastor Craig Bex officiating. Interment was in Iowa City.

Memorials in memory of Mrs. Knight may be made to Hospice of Central Iowa or the Osteoporosis Foundation. Williams Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

The Knoxville Journal Express, October 31, 2006
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Iowa Births and Christenings:

Name: Ada May Gay
Birth Date: 26 Jun 1916
Birth Place: E. Lincoln, Mitchell, Iowa
Father's Name: Roy Gay
Mother's Name: Tessie Turnmire
FHL Film Number: 1502984