NATCHEZ — Graveside services for Calvin Knight, 61, of Los Angeles, who died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at the Centinela Hospital in Inglewood, Calif., were Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, at the Natchez National Cemetery with the Rev. Chester Cain Jr. officiating.

Arrangements were under the direction of Harrison-Ross Mortuary in Los Angeles.

Mr. Knight was born July 14, 1950, in Natchez, the son of Fred Knight and Virginia McDonald Knight. He was a 1968 graduate of Holy Family Catholic School and attended Alcorn State University. He decided early on to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.

Calvin was preceded in death and will be welcomed to his heavenly home along with our heavenly Father, by his father, Fred Knight; one baby sister, Ellen Marie Knight; grandparents, Estelle Dorsey Barnes, Blake Barnes and Ellen Douglas Porterfield; great-grandmother, Elizabeth Belton Weatherspoon; one uncle, Jessie Middleton; one aunt, Lizzie Middleton; step-grandmother, Madeline Dorsey; stepfather, Willie Berry; godmother, Ceola Clinton; first cousin, Michelle Johnson; one sister-in-law, Betty Jean Evans McDonald; and one uncle, Robert C. Jones.

A Time to Mourn (Ecclesiastes 3:4): He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving mother, Virginia McDonald of Natchez; three sisters, Rasheedah Sadiq of Fayetteville, N.C., Arella McDonald Thomas Jr. of Haymarket, Va., and Freddie Boatwright of Los Angeles; one brother, Vernell McDonald of Natchez; one brother-in-law, Charles E. Thomas of Haymarket; three children, Cassandra Knight of Natchez, Kelvin Knight of Dallas and Kimberly Knight of Hurst, Texas; one daughter-in-law, Magella Knight of Dallas; one aunt, Althea Johnson Jones of Chicago; two first cousins, Valarie Johnson Frazier of Natchez and Jennifer Johnson Green of Jackson; godfather, W.D. Clinton of Natchez; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; six nephews; two nieces; four great-nephews; one great-niece; and a number of cousins and friends.

The family deeply appreciates the number of expressions of love, sympathy and generous gifts of time and support. Calvin would not want for you to shed tears of sadness but to remember the good times he shared with you. We are comforted in knowing that Calvin is home in heaven, now wearing his crown of glory. Thank you for your kind words, support and prayers.

I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love. (Leo Buscaglia)