Dorothy Hilburn Knight

Dorothy Hilburn Knight, 94, of Greenville SC, wife of Herbert Joseph Knight, died September
18, 2023 at Rolling Green Village. Born in Wilmington, NC, she was the only child of
Leslie Vance and Lola Russell Hilburn. She is survived by a son, Dr. Michael J. Knight and wife
Mary Elizabeth, daughter Candice Eubanks and husband Steve, grandchildren Ashley Buskirk
and husband Ryan, Rachel Knight, Emily Beauchesne and wife Samantha, Adam Knight,
Hannah Knight, and great-grandchildren August and Alexander Buskirk and Leila and Rowan
Beauchesne.
She graduated from Wake Forest College (where Arnold Palmer was a classmate,) earning a
BS Degree in Mathematics, and continued her education at UNC-Chapel Hill, graduating with a
Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling. She originally taught in Lumberton, then spent
more than 25 years of her career as a counselor in Rocky Mount and Charlotte schools. She
and
her husband were at the forefront of the community mental health movement, helping establish
the first mental health clinic in Rocky Mount (and lighting the way for their children’s careers.)
Dorothy was active in church and civic organizations. She was a member of Altrusa
International and attended St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Rocky Mount, St. John’s Episcopal
Church in Charlotte, and Earle Street Baptist Church in Greenville, SC.
She is remembered by her family as a master storyteller. She delighted us with stories from her
childhood, such as when she “borrowed” Indian Head pennies from her father’s collection to buy
candy, fearing a wrathful consequence, only to be lovingly forgiven.
She loved to compare travel notes with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed collecting
Beanie Babies and pigs of all sorts. She was always following the antics of her backyard birds
and squirrels, many of whom had names, and some of whom she was sure followed her from
one residence to the next.
Her love language was expressed in gifting others. She always had favorite snacks ready when
family visited. She once dashed to a convenience store to create a last minute “cake,” made of
twinkies and Cool Whip, for Ashley’s Super Bowl party. “No party should be without a cake,” she
said. She enjoyed shopping sprees with visiting grandchildren, often slipping them a little extra
spending money when they departed. She made holidays especially memorable, for example
when her young children were taken into Gatlinburg, Tennessee woods to discover Halloween
baskets left by witches.
As a wife, mother, and grandmother, she was loving, proud, generous, and passionately
protective of her family. She faced her death with the peaceful acceptance of a life well-lived.
A memorial service celebrating Dorothy’s life will be held at 11:00 on Saturday, October 21st at
St. John’s Episcopal Church Columbarium in Charlotte, NC.