Kathryn Robinson Knight, 93, of Leesburg, Florida, passed away on May 31, 2024. She was born in Birmingham, Alabama on July 13, 1930.
Kathryn began taking dance instruction in 1935 in Alexander City and continued dancing in Columbia, SC, where her Army family was stationed at Camp Jackson after her father was recalled to active duty after the attack on Pearl Harbor. She never forgot America at war after seeing President Roosevelt and all the generals who came to see the troops in review. Her father was Provost General (Head of Military Police). Entertainers like Bob Hope, Tommy Dorsey, Bing Crosby, and Benny Goodman are memories she never forgot, nor the mass celebration that occurred at the end of WWII.
Kathryn’s family later moved to Miami Beach, Florida until she finished high school, where she studied dance with George Malinoff. She chose to attend Florida State University for her freshman year of college and pledged Delta Delta Delta social sorority. When a new chapter was formed in Gainesville that needed older chapter members to help it get established, Kathryn transferred to the University of Florida for her remaining years of college. She majored in elementary education and danced with both university’s dance teams. Her love of dance and yoga never ended. She was a junior member of the Carolina Ballet Company and was also able to dance with Mrs. Dorothy Alexander, Artistic Director of the Atlanta Civic Ballet Company. She also studied dance in New York City with the Fokine School.
After college, Kathryn married Gordon Oldham, Jr. in Opelika, Alabama, and moved to Leesburg in 1952. She considered the years spent raising her family (Gordon III, John and Carey) the greatest joy of her life. During those years she served in Junior Women’s Club, Triangle Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, Garden Club, and St. James Episcopal Churchwomen. In later years, she became involved with Women for Hospice, Heritage Society, LSCC Foundation Board and Performing Arts programs.
In 1978, following an earlier divorce, Kathryn married Art Knight and acquired another son- Arthur. That same year she fulfilled a lifelong dream and opened the Kathryn Knight School of Dance studio, where she devoted the next sixteen years to teaching many children the love and joy of dance. Kat and Art enjoyed living part time in the mountains of Maggie Valley, NC, until his death in 2011. They traveled extensively and even attended the ballet Giselle while in Russia. Her greatest pleasures came from their 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Kathryn was a three-time cancer survivor and was grateful for each and every day of her life.
Kathryn is survived by her three children: Gordon III (Linda) of Leesburg; John Oldham (Suzanne) of Mt. Dora, daughter Carey Campbell (Kevin) of Lakeland; stepson Arthur Knight Jr. (Andrea) of Atlanta and niece Cindy Donahue of Asheville, NC. She was predeceased by sister Suzanne, as well as parents Suzelle Cooper Robinson and Carey Carslyle Robinson, all from Alabama. Kathryn loved antiques, southern traditions, and family.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. For those who wish donations, they should be made to St. James Episcopal Church in memory of Kathryn Knight.