Virginia "Baby" Hawes Knight Obituary (1930 - 2022)

Virginia (Baby) Hawes Knight died July 10, 2022 at the age of 92. She was born July 12, 1930 to Virginia McMaster Hawes and Leland M. Hawes Sr. She spent most of her early years in Thonotosassa where her family was in the citrus business. Thanks to her mother's dedicated driving, she was able to attend Gorrie Elementary, Woodrow Wilson Junior High and H.B. Plant High in Tampa. She was baptized as a baby in the First Presbyterian Church and was a member until she joined a singles class at Bayshore Baptist Church. She loved the church and all the wonderful friends she had there. She attended Florida State University for one year prior to her marriage in 1950 to Charles L. (Charley) Knight Il. There she became a member of the Chi Omega Sorority and was inducted into the Village Vamps. Family meant everything to her. She is survived by two much-loved sons, Donald Hawes (Don) Knight, Charles L. (Charley) Knight Ill, his wife Barbara and adored granddaughter, Fay Lilia Knight. She was predeceased by her parents, her son Gary Richard Knight and her brother Leland Hawes Jr., a long time writer/historian for the Tampa Tribune. Baby was asked to join the Junior League of Tampa at the age of 21. She volunteered at Tampa General Hospital, Meals on Wheels and McDonald Training Center. She was on the board of Meals on Wheels for over 20 years and said receiving her 30 yr. trophy from Meals on Wheels was one of her proudest days. After her son Gary's death, following a long illness, she joined Beach Park Garden Club, participated in a quilting class taught by the deceased Rosa Lee Smiley, and painted in a weekly art class led by Ann Smith. She and a number of high school friends formed a "Do Nothing club" which met once a month for lunch. The family would like to sincerely thank her caregivers, Yolanda Carr, Gretel Campbell and Fernando Restrepo for caring for Baby as if she were their own mother. A Celebration of Life will be held at a date to be announced. Donations in her memory may be made to Meals on Wheels, 550 W Hillsborough Ave. Tampa, FL 33603.