Billy Gene Mcknight

Funeral services for Billy Gene ""Jackie"" McKnight, 79, of Wells, will be held Wednesday, February 2, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church in Wells, Texas with Brother Josh Luellen officiating. Interment will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery.

Mr. McKnight was born November 22, 1931 in Wells, Cherokee County, Texas, to the late Parie Lee (Howell) and Andrew J. McKnight. He went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 30, 2011 in a Lufkin hospital.

Mr. McKnight was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church of Wells, where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and music director for many years. He was a peace officer with the Lufkin Police Department for 10 years, part of which time he served as the Chief of Police. Later, he worked as a loan officer with Texas National
Bank. In 1993, he retired from the Lufkin State School, where he worked as an accountant. During that time, he was instrumental in helping to establish the Lufkin State School Credit Union.

Mr. McKnight loved the Lord and his family. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and spending time with his family and church family.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Maxine Greenville McKnight of Wells; son, Terry McKnight and wife, Mary of Wells; son, Tony McKnight and wife, Stacey of Lufkin; and grandchildren, Jerry McKnight and wife Missy, Julie McKnight, Jill Kelley and husband Scooter, Quinton McKnight and fiancee' Amie Cole, all of Wells, Jacquelyn McKnight, and Katie McCauley, both of Lufkin. He is also survived by great grandchildren, Andrea Kelley, Jodi Kelley, Colton Kelley, Hayley McKnight, Carson McKnight, Brian Kelley, Michael Fleeman and Leah Fleeman, all of Wells.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, James Lee ""Jamie"" McKnight.

Pallbearers will be Quinton McKnight, Scooter Kelley, Jeff McKnight, Gary McKnight, Bobby Carroll Greenville and Kyle Hopper.

Special thanks go to Dr. Sudheer Karnati and Heart to Heart Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Wells Parsonage Fund, P.O. Box 491, Wells, Texas 75976.

The family will receive friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors