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Alpharetta — Margaret Rucker Knight died peacefully at home on Thursday, September 7, 2023, in Alpharetta, GA. Margaret was born on July 26, 1930, in Bogalusa, LA. The youngest of nine children, she was preceded in death by her parents, William Thorne Rucker and Willie Lee Orr of Bogalusa, Louisiana; her brothers (Clarence Rucker, William Henry Rucker, Charles Rucker, and Albert Rucker); sisters (Evelyn
Warren and Linnie Berry) and two infants (Mary and Herman Rucker).

Margaret is survived by her husband, Delos Knight Jr.; her children, Kip Knight of San Juan Capistrano, CA, Kevin Knight of Bainbridge Island, WA, Anne Knight of Georgetown, TX, and Tim Knight of Palo Alto, CA, as well as her daughters-in-law (Peggy Day of San Juan Capistrano, CA, Darlette Knight of Bainbridge Island, WA, Betsy Magdall of Georgetown, TX and Chi Huang of Palo Alto, CA). Margaret was grandmother to six grandchildren: Thomas, Christopher, Kelsey, Tyler, Ethan, and Skylar – and two great-grandchildren, Greyson and Azure.

Margaret lived a long, productive life as a wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many. She grew up during the Great Depression in Bogalusa, La. She met her future husband, Delos Knight when they both worked as teenagers at the same local radio station, WIKC.

After not seeing each other for seven years (both had graduated from college, and Delos had returned from the Korean War), they reunited one fateful night when Margaret was the Mistress of Ceremonies for the “Paper Queen Ball” in Bogalusa. WIKC sent Delos to broadcast the event. It was “love at second sight,” and they started dating, with Delos making a weekly drive from Bogalusa to Baton Rouge every weekend. Soon,
they married and began their 68-year partnership.

They started married life in Bogalusa and subsequently lived in Baton Rouge, LA; Moraga, CA; and Alpharetta, GA. Margaret loved writing and published over 50 magazine articles featuring various artists and noteworthy people while living in Baton Rouge. Her husband helped illustrate her stories with his camera.

Margaret was active in the different churches where they lived, including ESM Methodist Church in Bogalusa and the Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, where she served on multiple committees.

As a mother, Margaret was always there for her children, no matter what. She was a demanding speech coach, outstanding copy editor, nightly homework monitor, motivational personal coach, and an unwavering fan for each of her four children. Her standards were exceedingly high, and she always reminded her children, “You are a Knight,” if they needed extra encouragement.

Margaret and Delos loved to travel the world. They were able to visit over 70 countries around the globe and were eager to experience and appreciate all of the different cultures worldwide.

Our world today is better because Margaret Knight left her unique mark. She was a tireless optimist. We were lucky to have her as a crucial part of all our lives. She will be deeply missed.

Instead of flowers, Margaret’s family suggests donating to the Alpharetta Presbyterian Church in Alpharetta, GA. (https://alpharettapres.com/give-serve/give/).