James Vanderbilt Knight Jr.

February 27th 1944 ~ March 24th 2023

Styling and Profiling

A man with style, fashion, passion, and exquisite and impeccable taste. This would be an accurate way to describe Mr. James Vanderbilt Knight Jr.

James moves slowly to my dresser drawer and finds his cowboy belt buckle, gold big in size, and it makes a statement. One leg at a time, he slips on his slacks. James turns and finds his cowboy boots and his button-down. Strap his timepiece on his arm. James picks up his billfold and pocket change; then it's out the door to his vintage Cadillac, and down the street, his day has begun. Downtown Billy Brown is styling and profiling.

James Vanderbilt Knight senior and Elizabeth Knight are expecting their fourth child. The question on everyone's mind will it be a boy or another girl? The family has been blessed with two daughters Nettie Mae, and Pearl Ruth and a son George Clifton. The eagerness for birth and the blessing of a new child is all on their mind. Yet the Knight family is praying for a healthy child rather be a boy or girl. It's a Sunday in Yazoo City, Mississippi. The appointed time arrives, and the midwives are standing near to deliver the Knight family's newest pride and joy. James Vanderbilt Knight junior was born on the 27th of February 1944.

Growing up one of six children, James was surrounded by abundant love. Shortly after his grand appearance, the family grew with two more children, Albertene and Arthur.

James received his educated in Yazoo City Ms., attending Yazoo City High School, where he excelled as a football player. The nickname " Knight Train Lane " was given to him because he ran fast, and it became his ultra-eagle because he became different when he put on his helmet, his pads, and his cleats; after all, "Knight Train Lane" was the fastest player on the team.

James knew Jesus as his personal savior. Even though James was a religious man, he was very spiritual and had a relationship with God, the Holy Ghost, and Jesus Christ. James attended Old King Solomon Baptist Church in Yazoo City, Mississippi.

While in high school, James met and fell in love with the woman he would be with till death did them part. Upon reaching the age of maturity, James with Ms. Gloricean Hill. James referred to her lovingly as Dot. A woman that he loved and admired so much that he knew that she was a gift for life; therefore, he married her on Saturday, December 25th, 1965, on Christmas Day. To this union, five children were born Alice, Clifton, Mario, Amos, and Jackie. As God would have it, two more children were born that completed this family, Jamie Brett. James and Gloricean migrated to Colorado in the mid 70's with their family.

James was a total believer in taking care of his family. He took odd jobs occasionally and made a career as a sheet metal worker. After 25 years, he retired and enjoyed his family in the early 1990s.

James was a big sports fan. It didn't matter if it was baseball, football basketball; if it was sports, you would find James in front of his television with a nice cold beer enjoying the game. Still, the Denver Broncos, the Washington Redskins, the Minnesota Vikings, and the New York Yankees were some of his favorites.

James would love to sing his favorite Temptation song, "My Girl."

2 Timothy 4:7: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

As James grew older and illness surfaced, his earthly Angel, his daughter Pat was there every step of the way. Compassionately taking care of him as only a daddy's girls will do. Ensuring that he was comfortable, happy, dressed well, and fed. The two of them shared a story, laughed, and joked. Pat earned her halo without incumbrance, apprehension, hesitation, or trepidation.

As James Vanderbilt Knight Jr., " Downtown Billy Brown" "Knight Train Lane." Crossed that Crystal River he was met on the other side with the loving arms of Gloricean "Dot," his wife. Mother Elizabeth. Father James Vanderbilt Knight Sr., Sisters Nettie Mae, ND Albertene, and Brother George Clifton.

Moreover, we can never love someone as much as we will miss them.

The legend of James Vanderbilt Knight Jr. shall live on in the lives of those he leaves behind. Alice "Pat" Simmons, Clifton and Dichelle Knight, Mario Knight, Amos Knight, Jackie Knight, Jamie Knight, Brett, and Tammie Knight. His Sister Pearl Ruth, and Brother Bishop Arthur Knight. Plus, his eighteen grandchildren. A host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great grand nieces and nephews.

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"A Million Times"

A million times we'll miss you, A million times we'll cry.

If LOVE alone could have saved you, you never would have died.

In life, we LOVED you dearly; in death, we LOVE you still.

In our Hearts, you hold a place no one can fill.

It broke our Hearts to lose you, yet you didn't die alone.

For a part of us went with you the day GOD called you home!

I am home in heaven, dear ones;
Oh, so happy and so bright.
There is a perfect joy and beauty
in this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,
every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
safely home in heaven at last.

Did you wonder I so calmly
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh, but Jesus' love illuminated
Every dark and fearful glade.

And He came Himself to meet me
in the way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus' arm to lean on
could I have one doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely,
for I love you dearly still.
Try to look beyond death's shadows;
Pray to trust our Father's will.

There is work still waiting for you,
so you must not idly stand.
Do it now, while life remaineth;
you shall rest in Jesus' land.

When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting;
Oh, the joy to see you come!