  Norma Arvella Bodovsky McKnight passed away on November 28, 2018 at Countryside Nursing and Rehab in Pilot Point. She was 84 years old. She was born March 2, 1934, daughter of Gene and Ruby Ragsdale Bodovsky at the family farm between Tioga and Gunter where she spent most of her life. Arvella, also known by her nickname "Punk", married Dan McKnight, Jr. on August 14, 1949. Together they had 3 sons, Bob, Donny and Jerry. During her marriage to Billy Myers, she had one other son, Jack. While her children were growing up, she was always involved with activities that supported their efforts. She served as a room mother, in the PTA, was treasurer of the Tioga Riding Club, and served in various other civic organizations. She was on the committee that was involved in naming all of the rural roads in the southwest part of Grayson County when 911 addresses went into effect. She also served on the Texas Sesquicentennial Committee for Grayson County. Being fond of Gene Autry's roots in Tioga, she was one of the people instrumental in getting the name of the main street in town change to Gene Autry Drive. During her working career, she held various jobs including secretary/treasurer types of positions. She also worked for several years at Texas Instruments in Sherman, painting the nose cones of the missles. She eventually retired from the Denison State School where she was purchasing agent for a group of the patients. She really enjoyed that job because she always said it was fulfilling. Her passion for many years was painting. She painted many beautiful bluebonnet scenes along with Texas landscapes. She had a great eye for color and could make the brush do marvelous things. Arvella also enoyed crafts that involved ceramics. Some of her pastime was spent listening to Elvis Presley records and tapes. She collected various albums and photos of him. Arvella was the last of the Gene and Ruby Bodovsky family, being preceded in death by her parents; 2 sisters, Delores (Tommy) Norris and Nelda Whitworth; and a brother, Jerry Bodovsky. She lost one of her boys, Jacky Dale Myers. She is survived by her husband, Dan McKnight, Jr.; children, Tommy Bob and wife, Kathy McKnight, of Tioga; Donald W. McKnight of Tioga; and Jerry E. and wife, Carrol McKnight, of Sanger; 11 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren. Bro. Daniel Tanguma officiated the service at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, located between Tioga and Gunter, on Saturday morning, December 1, 2018. Interment was at Tioga Cemetery. Pallbearers were her nephews, Doyce Whitworth, Jody Mayo, Britt Mayo, Kenny McKnight, Craig McKnight, Danny Lintner, Robby Reynolds, and Kevin Gressett.   Dan McKnight, Jr. was born in Southmayd on July 23, 1931 and passed away on July 2, 2020 in Leonard, Texas at the age of 88. He was the son of Dan Isaac McKnight, Sr. and Luvena Baughman McKnight, being the oldest of four children including brother Bennie McKnight and sisters, Betty Gressett and Barbara Lintner. Dan married Arvella Bodovsky in 1949 and together they raised four sons, Bob, Jack, Donny, and Jerry. Except for a few years living in Ft. Worth and working for Leonard's Department Store, their life was spent in and around Tioga. He was proud to be a Marine and was in the Corp during the Korean War. After discharge he returned to Tioga to continue the job of raising his family. Most of his working life he spent in business for himself in construction which included plumbing, HVAC and general contracting. He took after his own father in that he could build and repair just about anything. In fact, all he knew how to do was work. He virtually taught all of his sons, grandsons, newphews and other "kids" how to work. Though rough and tough, he taught them the necessity and rewards of hard work because that was all that he knew. He had no hobbies but loved history, especially family history and spent many hours reading. Being a Christian, his greatest attribute was service to others, especially those who could not afford to havie their air conditioning fixed or a water leak fixed. He believed in James 1:27 - "Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows" and in his eyes anyone who could not afford to hire someone. He retired late in life because he was concerned there would be no one to help these people with their repair needs, but age got to him and he physically gave out. Dan, Jr. was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Barbara Ann; wife, Arvella; and son, Jack. He is survived by his sons, Bob, Donny and Jerry; 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandson on the way; siblinbs, Bennie and Betty; and numerous nephews along with one niece. Graveside services were held at the Tioga Cemetery under the direction of Scoggin Funeral Home in Van Alstyne Monday morning, July 20, 2020 with Ricky Pattersin officiating. Honorary pallbearers are his nephews, Doyce Whitworth, Jody Mayo, Britt Mayo, Kenny McKnight, Craig McKnight, and Danny Lintner.  TIOGA CEMETERY Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |