LEE C. KNUCKLES SR.
Lee Clinton Knuckles Sr., age 76, of 950 S. Main St., Sumter, passed away peacefully at 3:57 a.m. Wednesday, May 16, 2018, at his home, after a long illness.
Born on June 17, 1941, in Gaffney, he was a son of the late Rev. London C. Knuckles and Mary Gaffney Knuckles. He was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church, 325 W. Fulton St., Sumter, for 55 years, formerly serving as driver for then Pastor Stallings. He was also a former member of the men's adult choir, Sunday school teacher, trustee ministry and church custodian.Mr. Knuckles is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Sara Campbell Knuckles; and four children, Savitra Bostick and husband, Dr. Anthony Bostick, of Tega Cay, Sara Hunter and husband, retired Sgt. 1st Class Marvin Hunter of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Lucia Jacobs and retired police Lt. Gregory Jacobs of Irmo and retired Master Sgt. Lee Knuckles Jr. of Columbia.
He leaves to share fond memories: 13 grandchildren, Akilah Bostick, Jabari Bostick, Maya Bostick, 1st Lt. Nigel Bostick (2018 graduate of The Citadel) of Tega Cay, Brittany Hunter and Brianna Hunter of Virginia Beach, Jasmine Jacobs of Middletown, Connecticut, DeAngelo Jacobs of Lexington, Solomon Jacobs of Irmo, Sonalli Knuckles of Atlanta, Nandi Knuckles of Louisville, Kentucky, Lee Knuckles III and Cori Knuckles of Columbia; and one great-granddaughter, Kagome Knuckles. Also surviving are two loving sisters, Grace Knuckles Knox (the late Macon) of Lanham, Maryland, and Dr. Mary Knuckles Jones and husband, Lucious Jones, of Gaffney; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Mr. Knuckles Sr. was a 1959 graduate of Granard High School, Gaffney, where he was a trumpeter and drum major with the Granard High School marching band. He attended Morehouse College in Atlanta and continued his studies at Morris College in Sumter, graduating in 1964 with a bachelor degree in science. In 1978, he received his master's degree in educational leadership from the University of South Carolina, Columbia.
In addition to serving the Sumter community as a professional educator, Mr. Knuckles served as president of the Sumter County Education Association and as a member of the S.C. and National Education Associations. He was a member of the Sumter Historical Society and served the Sumter community as a Sumter City Police Reserve Officer for more than 10 years.
The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home, 950 S. Main St., Sumter.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 325 W. Fulton St., Sumter, with the Rev. James Blassingame, pastor, eulogist.
The remains will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. for viewing until the time of services.
The procession will leave at 1:30 p.m. from the home.
Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr.com. Visit us on the web at www.WilliamsFuneralHomeInc.com.