Brother Sammy Knight, a beloved husband, father, and accomplished athlete, was born on October 3, 1958 to the late Willis and Willie Mae Knight in Tallahassee, Florida. He was converted at St. Mary P.B. Church under the leadership of the late Elder Richard Matthews.

Sammy was a native of Tallahassee and had an impact on everyone he met. He was friends and played sports with many in his neighborhood at the Liberty Park Community.

Sammy graduated from Godby High School in 1977 where he played football, baseball, and ran track. He earned a scholarship to attend Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) where his legacy also included a historic college football career.

Sammy quarterbacked the Godby Cougars to their program's first state championship in 1976 under Coach Gerald Culbreth. Three years later he led the Division I-AA FAMU Rattlers over the Division I Miami Hurricanes in one of college football's greatest upsets under Coach Rudy Hubbard. Sammy was a star among stars, a gifted athlete, teammate, friend, father and husband.

After his college years, Sammy left Tallahassee and moved to New York for a year then moved to Daytona Beach, FL with his wife, Beverly of 36 years, where they lived with their four children. Sammy was hard-working and dedicated. He spent many years working and becoming self-employed as a landscaper, where he gained incredible skills in tree cutting. He loved fishing and became known locally as “Fish” or “Fishman”. Sammy’s love for football was a legacy he was proud to pass on. Two of his sons, Sammy Jr. & D’Jhon, inherited his passion for the game and went on to play football themselves. Watching them on the field was one of Sammy’s greatest joys,

During his later years, Sammy faced frequent hospital visits due to his battle with cancer and other illnesses. Despite these challenges, he never lost his sense of humor. He cracked jokes with his family and even pulled light-hearted pranks on the nurses, brightening everyone’s day. His ability to bring smiles to others was one of his greatest gifts, and his sense of humor will be deeply missed. Sammy's life was a testament to faith, love, and perseverance. Though he will be deeply missed, his remarkable spirit and legacy will live on.

Sammy transitioned from Earth to Glory in Daytona Beach, Florida. He leaves behind a legacy of love to be cherished which includes his wife, Beverly Knight; one daughter, Samone Knight both of Daytona Beach and four sons: Sammy Knight, Jr. of Louisiana, D’Jhon Knight, Jaymes Knight and Joshua Knight all of Daytona Beach. Three sisters, Gloria McBride, Cynthia Knight both of Tallahassee, Linda Williams (Kelvin) of Winter Haven; two brothers, Willis Knight, Jr. (June), and Russell Knight both of Tallahassee, six grandchildren, along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Sammy was preceded in death by his parents Willis and Willie Mae Knight, three sisters, Dorothy Sampson, Shirley Hall, and Sylvia Collins, and one brother, Alfonso Knight.

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