Betty Sue Knight

Betty Sue Knight, 95, of Madisonville, Texas, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2025, in The Woodlands, Texas. She was born on July 18, 1930, in Cheek, Texas, to Robert Smith Beard and Annie Mary Beard. She grew up in Beaumont as the youngest of eight children in a close-knit family with four brothers and three sisters.

In 1953, Betty Sue married the love of her life, Clarence Frank Knight, Jr., and together they made their home in Madisonville, where she remained an active and cherished member of the community for the next seventy-two years.

A service of worship celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. at Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas. Pastor Dennis Ivey will officiate the service. Family and friends are invited to gather from 1 P.M. to 2 P.M. prior to the service.

Known affectionately to most as Betty Sue, she will be remembered as a devoted mother and "Mammaw," gentle and kind in spirit, full of Christ-like humility and generosity. A lifelong member of First Baptist Church, she was beloved throughout the area for her faithful service as an organist and pianist. In later years she also joyfully served the local Methodist church when needed. A dedicated Christian, she loved the Lord deeply, remained active in church and Sunday School, and played for hundreds of weddings and funerals over the decades.

Betty Sue graduated as Salutatorian of her high school class and later attended Baylor University, where she earned her degree in Music. An accomplished pianist, she carried her love of music throughout her life. Above all, she was a devoted student of God's Word and built a treasured library of biblical literature over the years. Her faith, grace, and steadfast example were a profound inspiration to her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Always beautifully dressed and gracious in every setting, Betty Sue was a wonderful homemaker, an excellent cook, and a loving mother. When she was not at home, she could often be found on the square, either supporting Frank at Knight's 5 & 10 or managing her children's store, The Carousel, both beloved local shops that drew customers from miles around.

Betty Sue is survived by her daughter, Janet Johnson and husband, David of Montgomery and son, David Knight and wife, Leslie of Bryan. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Leslie Daricek and husband, Brian of The Woodlands; William Knight and wife, Sydney of Trophy Club; Clayton Knight and wife, Brooke of Spring Hill, Tennessee; and Daniel Pennington and wife, Nadine of Garland. Her great-grandchildren include Erick Daricek, Evan Daricek, Isaac Kroeker Daricek, Connor Knight, Avery Knight, Hadleigh Knight, and Alden Pennington. She is also lovingly remembered by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

Pallbearers: William Knight, Daniel Pennington, Clayton Knight, Erick Daricek, Evan Daricek, and Isaac Kroeker Daricek.

Honorary Pallbearers: Kenneth Richie, Kenneth Farris, Jim McMillin, Steve Andrews, Dan Madole, Craig Bailey, Ricky Earp, and Brian Daricek.

Betty Sue was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-six years, Clarence Frank Knight, Jr.; her parents, Robert Smith Beard and Annie Mary Beard; her sisters, Ruby Horn, Ruth Anderson Schilling, and Lucile Allardyce Nichols; her brothers, Johnny, Martin, Joe, and Louis Beard; and two grandsons, Trae Pennington and David Hutchinson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Madisonville at www.madisonvillefbc.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas -- A Walters Family Funeral Home.