Mary Pierce McKnight

Mary Pierce McKnight, 91, passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at Windcrest Care Center. Funeral services will be held at LaGrone Funeral Home in Roswell, New Mexico on Friday, March 10th at 10:00 am. Mary was born April 2, 1914 to S.R. Pierce and Pauline Watkins Pierce in Dallas. She graduated from high school in Weslaco, Texas and attended Baylor Belton School for Girls. She married J.M. (Jim) McKnight of Roswell, New Mexico on June 8, 1933 in Fort Worth. They ranched north of Roswell for 63 years. He preceded her in death in 1996. She moved to Windcrest in 2000 and was lovingly cared for there by those she considered "family" until her passing. The family wishes to express their gratitude and extend a special thanks to the Windcrest staff. Mary is survived by two daughters, Marianne Rankin of Elm Valley; Polly Tomlinson and husband, Max, of Flower Mound; two sons, Jim McKnight and wife Laurie, and Bill McKnight and wife Bobbi, all of Afton, Iowa. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, including Dale Rankin of Elm Valley and Annemarie Holder of Abilene, and 22 great-grandchildren. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Memorials may be made to Windcrest Care Center at 6050 Hospital Drive, Abilene, Texas, 79606. Local arrangements are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home.