Thomas Earl Knight Sr., affectionately known as “Hot Poppa” and “Earl,” passed away on Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. He was born March 3, 1955, to the late Charlie and Thelma Knight.

He was a 1975 graduate of John F. Kennedy High School. He retired from the U.S. Army after serving 23 years as a supply clerk and later retired from Newport News Shipyard after 37 years.

Thomas was a member of Pleasant Union Baptist Church and Bethel Lodge No. 7.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Knight; daughters, Audrey Palmer and Pamala Knight; son, Thomas Knight Jr.; four grandchildren, Thomas Knight III, Tayshawn Knight, JeShaun Palmer and Jamari Palmer; siblings, Charlie Knight Jr. (Hattie), Walter Knight (Mary), John Knight (Shirley), Samuel Knight (Arlene), Edward Lee Knight, Carrie Knight Brown-Kee (Leroy), Thelma Knight-Clark (James Griffen), Evangelist Mary Lane Williams and Bernice Knight Stevenson (Michael), and a host of relatives and friends.

Mr. Knight’s visitations will take place from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday and from 3 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. A celebration of life service will take place at noon on Wednesday at Pleasant Union Baptist Church, and he will be laid to rest with full military honors at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy and flowers may be extended at www.cookeovertonfuneralhome.com. Professional funeral services are entrusted to T.E. Cooke-Overton Funeral Home Inc.