Nellie Jane McKnight

Nellie Jane (Gossett) McKnight, 63, of Galveston, Tex., formerly of Elkville, passed away at 12:43 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015 at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Tex.

Nellie was born April 4, 1951 at Herrin, Ill., the daughter of James and Julia (Freeman) Gossett Jr.

She graduated from Elverado High School, where she was active in the band, chorus, was a class officer and sports statistician. She attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in business education and a Master of Science in Education degree. After receiving her BS degree, she taught business at Oak Lawn High School and Coulterville High School. She furthered her teaching career at Texas State Technical Institute in Sweetwater, Tex. and later teaching training classes for Computerland and Comp USA in Tampa, Fla.

While teaching at TSTI, she met her husband, John E. McKnight. They were married on Oct. 17, 1992 at Sweetwater, Tex. and he survives.

She was accomplished at playing the piano and organ and shared her talent in the churches she attended since her high school days. Among the many memories of her life will be that Nellie disliked the colder climate which drew her to living in Texas and Florida.

Nellie is survived by her husband of Galveston, Tex., two brothers - Rev. Tim (Myra) Gossett of Greenfield, Ill. and Alan Gossett (Dan Lloyd) of Campton Hills, Ill., three brothers-in-law - Jim McKnight and wife Mae of Ft. Worth, Tex., Richard McKnight and wife Cheri of San Angell, Tex., and Joe McKnight and wife Pennie of Ft. Stockton, Tex., one sister-in-law - Camilla McKnight of San Angell, Tex., two nephews and a niece - Adam (Katie Barwick) Gossett, Melissa Gossett and Nicholas Gossett, and two great nephews and a great niece - Cameron, Lucy and Lucas.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister - Lucy.

A Celebration of Life service will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 5, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church in Du Quoin with Rev. Jim Davis officiating.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Thursday.

Burial will be in the Cundiff Cemetery at Blairsville.

In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorials to SIU Education Department and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin is in charge of arrangements.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.