Obituary

Marinda Elizabeth Knight Long

Marinda Elizabeth Knight Long peacefully surrendered her earthly life for an angelic heavenly life with her Heavenly Father on January 11, 2018.  Marinda was born in Princess Anne County, Virginia to the late Rufus Knight, Sr. and Bertha Gatlin Knight.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Hilton Long; her sisters, Louise A. Nickson and Mary R. Knight (Ph.D.); her brother, Irvin M. Knight; and brother-in-law, Jessie "JC" Johnson.
   Marinda accepted Christ at a very early age and joined Union Baptist Church.  Marinda served in various capacity at her church such as choir member, Sunday School teacher, and a member of the Missionary Ministry, Beautification Ministry and LA Cary Ministry.  She remained an active and devoted member of Union Baptist Church until her health declined.
   Marinda attended the public schools of Princess Anne County (Virginia Beach), graduating from Princess Anne County Training School in 1955.  She first attended Norfolk Division of Virginia State College and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Virginia State College.  She later earned her Masters of Arts Degree from Indiana University.  With her degrees in hand, Marinda taught in the Virginia Beach Public Schools, retiring as an art teacher at Granby High School in Norfolk, Virginia.   Marinda also studied abroad in numerous countries.  She served as an assistant professor at Norfolk State University and an art consultant for the Norfolk Recreational Department.  She was a popular and frequently sought after African American historian, sharing her knowledge and extensive African American art collection with the Hampton Roads area.
   Along with being a life member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Marinda was a founding member of the Virginia Beach Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was also an active and valuable member of Phi Delta Kappa and served as its Basileus from 1985 to 1989.  She was a member of the first Krinon Club for 49 years and a member of The Links Inc.  In 2016, Princess Anne County Training School – Union Kempsville High School Alumnae, Family and Friends Association made her an Honorary Life Member.
   Marinda was a devoted and energetic daughter, sister, aunt, friend, teacher, and mentor to countless individuals.  Her smile, loving heart, free giving actions and spirit, proved to be unmatchable by most people.  She freely shared her being and in return, received unmatchable love from others.  Marinda’s actions served to be a mother for most people who knew her.  She lived her favorite scripture, Proverbs 31:26-28.
   Marinda leaves to mourn her: a sister, Geneva K Johnson of Fredericksburg, VA; two brothers, Louis Knight (Rani) of Indian Head, MD and Rufus Knight, Jr. (Loretta) of Lynchburg, VA; a sister-in-law, Carolyn H. Knight; nieces: Vashti Nguyen (Doug), Clara Nickson, Carolyn Nickson, Shenika Knight-Fitch; nephews: Kerry Knight (Renita), Jeffrey Johnson, Wayne Nickson (Joy), Terry Knight (Jessica) and Rufus Oscar Knight (Laura); a host of cousins and friends; and adopted siblings, Laurice Yarn and James Wilson.                                                
The family will receive friends on Friday, January 19th from 4 until 7 PM at Keith Matthews Funeral Home, 5665 E. Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk, VA.  A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 20th at 11 AM at Union Baptist Church, 4608 South Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA.

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