Mary Kathleen Conn McKnight, widow of blind WMC Radio band leader of the 30s and 40s, Byron Burton 'Bob' McKnight and the Ranch Boys, passed away Thursday March 5, 2009 at Kirby Pines Manor. She was born to Lillian Reynolds Conn and Grover Cleveland Conn in Koscuisko, MS in 1917. Mary was the last survivor of her 6 siblings, their spouses and her youngest daughter Connie McKnight Roby and her husband Captain Ralph L. Roby of the Memphis Police Dept. She dedicated her life to her husband and family and has lived at Kirby Pines for 22 years since the passing of her husband, Bob. She will be remembered for her devotion and sacrifice. Her family labeled her the comeback kid for overcoming four major medical crises in the last 35 years of her life against great odds. She leaves her daughter Madalyn McKnight Stanford and son-in-law Dr. James F. Stanford, their children Rick Stanford, wife Stephanie and daughters Katherine and Kristian of McLean, VA, Al Stanford, wife Debbie and daughters Hannah and Amanda of Flower Mound, TX., son Franklin Stanford and wife Kim of Grand Junction, TN., daughter Tina Stanford Scoggins, husband Jeff Scoggins and son, Matthew of Collierville, TN., Wayne McKnight, wife Lorene, of Starke, FL., and their children, Charlie Wayne McKnight, wife Wendy and children Jacob and Alexandra of Batavia, IL, George Daniel McKnight, wife Linda and children Robert and Megan, of Crystal Lake, IL, Susan McKnight Perkins, husband Carl, and daughters Alyssa and Cherie of Hampton, FL. A visitation will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home Monday beginning at 10:00 a.m. The funeral service begins at 11:30 am Monday, March 9, 2009 in the Fireside Chapel. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family requests in lieu of flowers that contributions in Mary's name be made to the local ministry fund of Second Baptist Church, MIFA or of the donor's choice. Memorial Park Funeral Home (901)767-8930 (Published in The Commercial Appeal on 3/7/2009)