Vivian Breedlove Knight

Vivian Breedlove Knight, age 97, passed peacefully, at her home, on October 13, 2011. Born on August 26, 1914 in Dandridge, TN to the late Robert and Minnie Breedlove. At an early age, her father moved the family to Lynch, KY to take a job as a coal miner and to avail his children of the educational opportunity in the new location. Lynch Independent Colored School offered 12 grades of grammar and high school, which was not available in rural Tennessee. Vivian received her grammar diploma and was the high school valedictorian. Vivian continued her education and graduated from Knoxville College in 1937 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She went back to her school and became the first graduate to return to the school as a teacher. She taught third grade at the Lynch Colored School, for 17 years. After relocating to Ohio, she worked and retired from the State of Ohio, Bureau of Worker's Compensation. Vivian was an active member of St. Mark's Baptist Church in Columbus, and a member of the Electa #7 OES, Joshua Court #25. Vivian was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis Knight; brother, J. Hubert (Martha); sisters, Anna (Eugene) James, Juanita (Frank) Wilson, Naomi (Cecil); nieces Frenetta Miller and Arlunda Rhea Breedlove; nephew, Robert Mullins; great nieces, Rosylyn and Jean and great nephews, Christopher, Keith and Gerard. Vivian is survived by nephews, Ryland Mullins, Sam (Shavon) Knight, Danny Knight, Robert Knight, Wayne Knight and James L. Hood; nieces, Vivian (Calvin) Moore and Uvella Lauderdale; step-daughter Lillian Knight and sister-in-law Era Wilson and 4 generations of great nephews and nieces.