Thomas Hayward McKnight (Newton High School Class of 1954)

Thomas "Hayward" Mc-Knight of Newton passed away Sunday morning, November 1, 2009, at home. He was 74.

Hayward was born and raised in Newton, AL. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Essex. After leaving the service he worked in Palmdale, CA as a paint contractor. In 1971 he moved back to Newton to work with his father and brother in farming. He retired from farming in 2002. He lived the rest of his life in his home-town of Newton and was a member of the Newton Assembly of God Church.

He is preceded in death by one brother, Edwin McKnight, and his parents, M.C. McKnight and Iris McKnight.

Survivors include: mother of his children, Emiko McKnight of Newton; daughter, Janise Newbury (Joe) of Williamsburg, VA; sons, Mike McKnight (Susan) of Dothan; Vernon McKnight (Melanie) of Newton; Todd McKnight of Midland City; sisters, Jane Benton (Sherman) of Pinckard; Shirley Burgess (Bill) of Abbeville; brothers, Mickey McKnight (Debbie) of Pinckard; Jimmy McKnight (Nelda) of Pinckard; grandchildren, Brandon McKnight, Leah McKnight, Dustin McKnight, Clayton McKnight, Victoria Newbury, Kyle McKnight, Bailey McKnight, Trevor McKnight, Ashley Draughon, Hannah Draughon, & numerous nieces and nephews.