Carol Lynn Garris Mcknight

Carol Lynn Garris McKnight of Raleigh died Monday, May 16, 2016. Carol Lynn was born on March 2, 1938, the daughter of Gladys Bryan Garris and  Eugene Garris of Pikeville, North Carolina. Carol Lynn received her early education at Pikeville schools. After graduating from Pikeville High School, she continued her education at Womans College in Greensboro (now UNC-Greensboro) for two years and then graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She earned a bachelors degree in English, a masters degree in education, and a masters degree in English from the University at Chapel Hill. Pursuing a life-long interest in education, Carol Lynn taught English at the high school, community college and university levels. She retired as a lecturer in English at North Carolina State University in 1998. She then completed the docent training program at the North Carolina Museum of Art. She enjoyed her volunteer work with students as she guided them through the museums indoor and outdoor art collections. Other years of employment as a House Counselor at the Womans College of Duke University and as an Associate with the Presbyterian Campus Ministry in Raleigh brought Carol Lynn many opportunities for personal and spiritual growth and long-lasting friendships. Carol Lynn was a member of West Raleigh Presbyterian Church. She and her family were active in many areas of church life, and their lives in Raleigh were shaped and nurtured by the church and the friends they made in the church community. Carol Lynn was a member of the Contemporary Literature Circle and the Frank Haasis Sunday School Class. She served as an elder, as a Chair of the Childrens Center Board, and as an interim leader of the churchs campus ministry program. Carol Lynn enjoyed participating in book clubs and garden club activities. She was a member of the Wake County Phi Beta Kappa Association and served on the Board and as a chair for the Phi Beta Kappa Writing Contest. Gardening and enjoying nature were essential for her. Hiking with friends was a time of spiritual connection with the wonders of Gods creation and the cycles of life of which we all are a part. Carol Lynn is survived by her  husband of forty-nine years James Samuel McKnight; son and daughter-in-law Neal and Melanie of Brooklyn, New York, and their children Madeline, Hannah, and Andrew; son and daughter-in-law Andrew and Samantha of Philadelphia and their children Bolton and Reed. Carol Lynns family was a joy to her, and she treasured the times they were together. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. on May 21. A memorial service at West Raleigh Presbyterian Church will follow at 2:00 p.m. with a reception afterwards. Memorials may be sent to Presbyterian Campus Ministry, 27 Horne Street, Raleigh, NC 27607 or made online at www.pcmraleigh.org. Please note “for McKnight memorial.” Arrangements by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Raleigh.