Laura McKnight Randolph, beloved daughter of the late James and Ella McKnight was born on October 14, 1929 in Summerton, South Carolina. One year and a half later, on April 12, 1931, her only sister, Lurena "China" McKnight was born. On Monday, December 9, 2013, while peacefully asleep. Laura was called home to be with our Lord. Following the lead of her beloved big sister, just five short days later, on Saturday, December 14, 2013 China accepted the Lords call and Joined her at the higher rock. Just imagine their joy as they both were reunited, together again, Laura and China. Although born in the South, Laura and China grew up in Baltimore City with their siblings, Presto~; James, and George. While Laura, as the eldest, had a wonderful rapport with each of her siblings and was protective of them, she was especially close to her slightly younger sister China. Together, they would care for their younger brothers while their parents worked. with five children in the household the McKnight home was a lively and loving home. Of the two young ladies, Laura was the calmer spirit while China was the outgoing, outspoken, one. Education was important to the McKnight family, and Laura accepted her family's challenge to value education. Following graduation from 'Douglas High School, Laura attended Coppin State College m the early 1950's. There, she earned a B.S. degree in Elementary Education, later receiving her M.S. degree from Morgan State College. Attracted to the motto of promoting sisterhood among teachers while attending CORP in, she pledged and became a member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Gamma Chapter. Laura remained active in her sorority for thirty years, standing out as the sister who worked with and mentored the junior chapter of high school girls considering a teaching career. Eager to instill in her students a love for learning, Laura began her longstanding teaching career at Baltimore City School #159 in Cherry Hill. For her, this first opportunity proved to be her most cherished and endearing. Despite the challenges associated with this assignment, she loved working with the children and the families in this community and was dedicated to them so much that she remained there for twenty-seven years. Later~ she served as the Vice Principal at school #150, retiring as the Principal in 1983. Over the course of her long and illustrious teaching career, she was able to positively impact thousands of children: deliver a quality public education, and promote student achievement. In addition to her distinguished career and work with her sorority, she was an active member of the Las Companeros, a group of female educators known for their social and fundraising events to provide clothes, toys, and scholarships for needy children. While education was important to China as well, she followed her passion and pursued training in the beauty industry, highly segregated in the 1950s. She attended cosmetology school, becoming a licensed Cosmetologist. During this same time, she met and married musician Robert Spence. Although their union was short-lived, China rejoiced in the opportunity to unite, later, with Jeremiah Richardson, and from that union their sole daughter, Debra, was born. So fond of raising her daughter was China that she dismissed the notion of opening a salon and becoming a business woman to being a homemaker. And what a homemaker she was, for China was not only meticulous but also a "Silent Generation" diva, ever flamboyant, embracing fashion, hair care, and beauty in all forms. Throughout her life, Laura cherished her family relationships. In 1964, she married Harold C. Randolph and remained his faithful wife until his death in 2004. Shortly thereafter, she moved in with her sister China. Although Laura did not have children, she was a wonderful aunt to her nieces and nephews. She was particularly close to her niece Debra whom she entrusted as her principal caretaker. Laura and China spent countless hours pampering their mother Ella and Debra at their Callaway A venue home. When they were not travelling, jazzy mother Ella and the McKnight sisters could be found enjoying television, Laura watching baseball and western movies and China watching soap operas. Reading was important in the home. After finishing a good book, Laura would hand it Clown always to her mother, sister China ana niece Debra to read. As a result, the home on Callaway Avenue was always filled with good books, stimulating conversation and debate, an abundance of laughter, and three generations of McKnight women trying to get a word in. Both Laura and China were spiritual women who loved the Lord and remained faithful, active, and devoted members of Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, their church home. Laura served as the Superintendent of Sunday School for many years and was also a member of the Finance Committee. Similarly active in the Church, China was a member of the Missionary Society and Stewardess Board #4. Together, they served as members of the Precious Gems and Council of Religious Education. Following the loss of their mother and Laura's spouse, both Laura and China began to experience declining health. To ensure that they both received the best care possible 10 a home environment, they both relocated to Sykesville with Debra and her husband Ronnie. Laura accepted her health issues quietly, never complaining. China, on the other hand, had a more active spirit, always challenging herself in the midst of her convalescence. As the Lord would have it, their earthly pains would cease before the year's close. On December 9,2013, in the early morning hours, Laura passed quietly in her sleep. We can only imagine the gravity of China's grief and the depth of her answered plea as she, like 'her sister Laura, passed quietly in her sleep on December 14,2013. Laura and China's joint legacy is a pointed one. They were spiritual, educated and dignified women, with character, who inspired people in all walks of life. They actively involved themselves with their family as well as the educational, religious, social, and cultural life of man communities. Throughout their lives, they remained loving, generous and compassionate, always extending themselves to help anyone in need regardless of whether they were family, friend, or stranger. Although they were preceded in death by their parents, James and Ella McKnight, Laura's husband, Harold C. Randolph, as well as their brother, James E. McKnight, both Laura and China will be cherished forever by niece and daughter Debra Jackson and husband Ronnie great niece and nephew and grandchildren Monique and Ronnie Jr,: brothers Preston P. McKnight and spouse Dorothy McKnight; and George M. McKnight and spouse Barbara McKnight; two great aunt~ Celia Bennett and Harristeen Bozier; fourteen nieces and nephews, and a host or other relatives and friends. Viewing Joseph H. Brown Jr. Funeral Home Tuesday, December 17, 2013 03:00 PM - 08:00 PM Email Details 2140 N Fulton Ave
Baltimore, Maryland 21217 Directions Funeral Service Ebeneazer AME Church Wednesday, December 18, 2013 10:30 AM Email Details 20 W. Montgomery St.
Baltimore, MD 21230 Funeral to begin @ 11:00 am Directions