Martha Knight, a resident at Heritage of Peachtree Retirement & Assisted Living, celebrated her 100th birthday with a party on Sunday, October 8 surrounded by family, friends and the staff and fellow residents at Heritage.

“We had nothing and we needed nothing,” said Knight, recalling her happy, early childhood. What a difference 100 years makes in the United States! 

Martha Ellen Dilley and her twin sister, Mary Elizabeth, the last of six children, entered the world October 3, 1906, in the town of Darlington in the wooded hills of western Pennsylvania. The twins were blessed with parents who, though not formally educated, believed in education and progress, love and protection. Poverty was the norm of the day in this small community. The family moved to Allentown and Pittsburgh before settling in Greenville, Pennsylvania in 1916.

Her older brother once described little Martha as “robust and impetuous.” The children made up their own games – blind man’s bluff, hide and seek, jump rope and such, and the girls played with china-head dolls, gifts from their aunts. They had a dog and a cat, but Martha loved all animals especially the wild critters brought home by her brother such as snakes, skunks, raccoons and rabbits; even today her favorite TV programs are on the Animal Planet. The twins depended on their mother’s sewing talents for their clothing and had no store bought clothes until they were 14. 

While the brothers managed to attend college, there was no similar opportunity for the sisters. Nevertheless, in 1926, Knight became an elementary teacher in a one-room schoolhouse. She walked three miles to work and earned $75 a month. She took her driving test on a Model T Ford, the “Tin Lizzy,” and then was able to drive it to school where it either had to be cranked by her students or pushed up the hill on snowy days.  

In 1928 she went to work at the power company where her twin was employed. One evening, while Knight was in bed with the flu, Bob Knight, the new engineer from Indiana, came by with her twin’s beau. All the girls at the office were talking about him. Martha managed to climb out of bed and go downstairs. He quickly became interested in the robust and impetuous Martha, and the rest of her life began to unfold. The twins married the dapper young men and both made their home in Greenville until Martha and Bob moved to Peachtree City. Martha’s marriage lasted 64 years until Bob’s death. Her twin sister Mary’s marriage lasted 67 years.   

The Depression brought more hardship, and World War II meant more sacrifice. The Knights opened their home to the families of soldiers based at a nearby army camp that served as the processing center for deployment to the front lines in the now raging war in Europe. But, Martha’s joy peaked on Valentine’s Day 1944 when they adopted Allan James, and again in December 1946 with the adoption of Mary Ellen. 

Bob Knight eventually became Division Manager at the Pennsylvania Power Company and worked there until he retired in 1971. Daughter Mary Ellen was the first to move to Georgia, followed three years later by Allan. In 1988, Martha and Bob made the big move to Peachtree City to be near their children and five grandchildren. They quickly became active in their new community joining the Peachtree City United Methodist Church and meeting with other retirees at the Gathering Place. Bob also played drums for several performances of the Fayette Community Theatre in the amphitheater as well as joining a musical group that entertained in the area nursing homes. Martha followed along carrying the drums. She also enjoyed her daily walks or golf cart rides to the lake.

Widowed in 1995, Knight continued to manage the home and remained there 10 more years until the age of 98 when she moved to Heritage. She kept busy entertaining family in her home and passed the time crocheting more than 100 afghans for relatives and friends. Unable to attend church services any longer, she now immerses herself in TV sermons on Sundays.

Knight’s longevity may well be in her genes. She is the last of six siblings. A brother died two years ago at the age of 103 and her twin passed away three years ago at the age of 97. The six of them averaged 97 years of life and Knight is still counting – another explanation may be the love and care of parents, siblings, husband, children and five grandchildren. Her devotion to them and outreach to friends and relatives, and her faith, have given the little girl who had nothing a rich life.

Martha’s local family includes her son and wife, Allan and Sharon Knight of Peachtree City, her daughter and husband, Mary and Terry Dyche of Jonesboro, four grandsons, Graham and Doug Knight of Peachtree City, Bob Knight of Chattanooga, Chris Dyche of Atlanta, one granddaughter and her husband, Jennifer Lynn (Dyche) and Alan Beamer of Atlanta, her great-niece and family Mary Carol and Jerry Hitchell, son, Eric of Fayetteville and daughter and husband, Sylvia (Hitchell) and Jonathan Strauss of Atlanta.

The family enjoys many opportunities to spend time with her to reminisce. She especially looks forward to a standing Saturday lunch outing that is joined by any and all family members when they are available.

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