Marilynn McKnight's Obituary
Marilynn’s soul left this earth and flew into the open arms of God on September 28, 2021. Marilynn was born May 27, 1931 to Roberta and Hurlburt Slate in Lubbock, TX. She and her brother Burt surprised their parents who were not expecting twins! Her family moved to Oklahoma City in 1936, fleeing the Dust Bowl. There she attended Classen High School and grew up on a small farm at the edge of town. Her jobs included cleaning the chicken coop and delivering milk for sale to neighbors.
Marilynn was a life-long Presbyterian. She was an active youth member at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City. She met her husband of almost 65 years, Charles, at Austin College where she earned a degree in Bible and minored in Biology and English. They married when he returned from serving in the Korean War and were faithful members of First Presbyterian Church Dallas their entire marriage. There Marilynn taught Bible lessons for children and women. She also served as pastor’s secretary at Presbyterian churches in Sherman, Corpus Christi, and Dallas.
Marilynn was a volunteer for many years with Tejas Girl Scout Council. She served as Troop Leader and Day Camp Director, an event involving hundreds of campers and volunteers. She made life-long friends through Scouts. She also delivered Meals on Wheels and was a reading tutor at Wallace Elementary.
Marilynn was a creative and talented woman who enjoyed knitting, wheat weaving, basket making, cooking, and sewing. She wrote clever parodies and poems and threw many memorable themed parties. Her garden produced beautiful flowers and tasty vegetables. Nobody could beat her at a word game. She was a good sport with a dry wit. Family vacations to national parks instilled a lifelong love of nature and the outdoors in their three daughters. Enjoying retirement, Charles and Marilynn travelled much of the US and Canada by car, particularly to mountain destinations.
Marilynn was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, a mere 10 months ago. She is survived by her daughters Mary Lynn Smith (Roger), Martha Jagucki (Phil), and Amy McKnight (Michael Fennig); grandchildren Jake Smith, Mika Smith, Austin Jagucki, and Owen Jagucki; sister Phoebe Hicks (Pat); sisters-in-law Patricia Slate and Margery McKnight; and many loving nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her parents, brothers Joe Slate and Burt Slate, sister-in-law Audrey Slate, and brother-in-law Jim McKnight.
A memorial service honoring Marilynn’s life will be held Tuesday, October 5 at 10:30 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church Chapel located at 1835 Young Street, Dallas, Texas. Covid precautions will be followed and masks are required. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Tejas Girl Scout Council (gsnetx.org), Presbyterian Women at First Presbyterian Church Dallas, or The Stewpot (thestewpot.org).
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