Aug. 9, 1956 – Sept. 12, 2011

NATCHEZ — Services for Michael Oshay McKnight, 55, of New Orleans, who died Monday, Sept. 12, 2011, will be at noon Sunday at Zion Flower Baptist Church.

Burial will follow at Sunset View Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Robert D. Mackel and Sons Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 11:30 until service time Sunday at the church.

Mr. McKnight was born Aug. 9, 1956, in Natchez, the son of James “Buddy” Knowles and Nevada McKnight Holmes. He attended Northside Elementary School and North Natchez High School. He was a graduate of Fortier High School in New Orleans. He was also a graduate of Harry Lundeberg Seamanship School in Piney Point, Md., earning a captainship of tugboats along the Mississippi River for a number of years.

Mr. McKnight went on to graduate from Sydney Collier Carpentry School as well. His gift and passion was making beautiful cabinetry. He loved sports.

Survivors include his devoted mother and stepfather, Willie Holmes Sr. of New Orleans; his father of Natchez; a loving daughter, Tyson McKnight of Atlanta; three sisters, Rhonda Jayroe and husband, John, of Conyers, Ga., Wanda Nunn and husband, Erskine Jr., of Apopka, Fla., and Olivia K. Johnson of Memphis, Tenn.; one stepbrother, Willie Holmes Jr. and wife, Gwen, of Columbus, Ga.; grandfather, Davis Smith of Natchez; godmother and great-aunt, Orie Lee Smith of Allen, Texas; and nieces, nephews, a number of cousins, relatives and close friends.