Sarah Anne (Tervin) Knight

Sarah Anne Tervin (Trudel) Knight died at home after a brief illness in the early morning hours of Wednesday, December 18th. She was born August 8, 1940 in Chipley, Florida to Franklin Tervin and Sarah Whitehead Tervin. After attending elementary school in Jacksonville, Florida, she moved to Tampa, Florida where she completed Jr. High and Senior High. She graduated from Florida State University in 1960, majoring in Home Economics. She was a member and Treasurer of the Phi Mu Sorority.

After returning to Jacksonville she taught Home Economics in high school at Terry Parker High School and married Barry Turdel in 1963.

Sarah taught in Columbia, SC, then moved to Atlanta for a short time before returning to Jacksonville where her son Lance was born. She coordinated the Senior Adult Education Program at Florida Community College for several years until she became the Director of Senior Adult Centers for the City of Jacksonville, where she remained for 20 years.

She and Ken Knight were introduced to each other while participating in a 5K run on Memorial Day in 1992 and she set a goal for herself of running a Marathon (26.2 miles) which she did in Washington D C at the Marine Corps Marathon. Sarah and Ken married in 1994, following Ken’s retirement ceremony from 30+ years in the Navy. Even after his retirement, Sarah enjoyed being a navy wife.

After she retired from the City of Jacksonville Sarah and Ken moved to Highlands, NC in 2004 where they lived in the family cottage at the corner of Dillard and Arnold Road while building their dream home on Turtle Pond Road. The home was built on family-owned land that was purchased by her Aunt Molly in the early 30’s. Sarah and Ken collaborated on the design, and both participated in much of the construction. Ken was the contractor.

Over the years, “Galax” has been the site of many wonderful gatherings for their family and friends, where Sarah truly made anyone who visited feel at home. Sarah was known as a kind and generous person who made friends with everyone she met. After retirement, her other passion was her flowers. She considered anything outside her front door to be her garden.

Sarah was a faithful and beloved member of Highlands United Methodist Church. A devoted person of faith, Sarah’s Christian witness was illuminated by her delightful personality and her warm and sweet smile. She was a true blessing to her church family.

She was preceded in death by her brother (Franklin Tervin). She is survived by her husband (Ken Knight), son (Lance Trudel), sister (Rebecca Browers) and brother in law (Howard Browers), stepson Greg and his wife Susan O’Brian, and Sarah’s grandchildren - Jakob, Gavin, Lilly and (Susan’s son) Inti.

A celebration of life will be held later date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Highlands United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be made at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Knight family.