Elsie Carol Slone McKnight
March 4, 1931 – November 12, 2024
Elsie Carol (Slone) McKnight died unexpectedly November 12, 2024 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. She was born March 4, 1931 at Callaway, Virginia the daughter of Elton and Blanch Slone.
Elsie started life on a farm in Virginia. By the time she lost her father at the age of 11 she had six siblings and her mother was still pregnant with another child. She often talked about how hard they all had to work in those depression years but they also played hard with legendary tricks and fun among all. She graduated salutatorian from Callaway High School and went on to be the first in her family to attend college at Ferrum College in Virginia. She met her husband W.D. (Mac) McKnight at Annapolis Md. Their adventures in Japan with their toddler daughter where he was deployed during the Korean War in the Navy, provided stories for a lifetime. Elsie was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who was known for her wonderful cooking, reading and her love of games, cards and puzzles of all kinds. Children in the family learned very early that grandma “played to win” and everyone had to learn to be a good sport and keep on working hard to beat her. (No matter how young!). She was a natural leader and ran organizations at Church and Schools. A member of Franklin Heights Baptist Church for over 50 years she attended Hollins Road Baptist Church later in life when she moved in with her son in Roanoke. An amazing lady, she laughed a lot, had a smile for everyone and our family was blessed to have her with us for 93 years!
Surviving are her daughter, Michele Camillo of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Paul (Megan) Camillo, Andrea (Scotty) Ayen and Philip (Kelsey) Camillo; and great-grandchildren, Logan, Eloise, Shyla and Devin; her son, William Mark and wife Charlene McKnight of Roanoke, VA; grandchildren, Carolee (Travis) Sarver and Michael (Holly) McKnight; and great-grandchildren, Cole, Maggie, Andrew and Chase McKnight.
Also surviving are Hilda (Slone) Robers (wife of Wilton Slone, deceased); sister, Susie (Tom) Dod of Atlanta, GA; brother, Ralph Slone of Columbus, IN, Corenne Slone (wife of Lacy Slone, deceased) of Richmond, VA, Ray (Betsy) Slone of Orlando, FL; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by Wilton Slone (brother) of Roanoke, VA; Marie and Billy Dod (sister/husband) of Roanoke, VA; Nellie and Ed Painter (sister/husband) of Roanoke, VA; Lacy Slone (brother) of Richmond, VA; Thelma and Rob Hoppe (sister/husband) of Atlanta, GA.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Hollins Road Baptist Church Building Fund, 3502 Old Mountain Rd NE, Roanoke, VA 24019 or
Franklin Heights Church – Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, 110 Hilltop Drive, Rocky Mount, VA 24151.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday at Flora Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow in Franklin Memorial Park. Her family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.
From the Grandchildren:
My beautiful Grandma went to her heavenly home late Tuesday night. What a blessing to have her for as long as I did, I have been so lucky! She was so spunky, she told it like it was, never forgot a thing, loved to read and talk to family and friends. She was an amazing cook who made the best chicken and dumplings, cabbage and roast anyone could ever have! That skill somehow went right past me sitting in the kitchen with her while she cooked and went out into the woods and found my brother!! 😊 93 years wasn’t long enough, but what a wonderful 93 years it was. So, now take your rest and your reward. We will miss you.. love you so much.
A special thank you to my parents who took such good care of her for as long as I can remember. She was truly blessed to have them fight for her, love her and just go above and beyond measure to make sure she was well looked after.
Our sweet Grandma Elsie (Mike’s Grandma) completed her mission here on Earth Tuesday night. She’s now in the presence of God whom she served faithfully. Mike & I had the pleasure of living next door to her for about 14 years. We gardened together and often had dinner together as neighbors. Although sometimes she would tell us she may have to leave early because there was a football game she wanted to watch. She was a tremendous help with Andrew when he was a baby. When Mike traveled for work Andrew was a newborn and Grandma Elsie was always there when I needed help, a nap or just to teach me the ropes of being a new mother. She told me one time “now Holly, if that baby wants to be held all day you sit and you hold that baby!” 😆. She was just a beautiful person inside & out. We will carry on the traditions of chicken and dumplins and apple pie. Go rest now Grandma Elsie and enjoy your Heavenly rewards. 🩷
This how I will remember her. Her famous pot roast she showed me how to make along with a 100 other recipes.
I’ve modified it a little over the years but it’s how she showed me to make it.
Was nice to spend a little time with the memory in the kitchen today.