James Balknight

BALKNIGHT, Mr. James - Age 49, passed away Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at his residence. Family hour 10:30AM Friday November 11, 2011 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with funeral service commencing immediately at 11 AM. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery, G-4200 Belford Rd., Holly, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the funeral home 10:30 AM Friday. Mr. Balknight will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, and may be viewed from 12Noon-8PM Thursday. Mr. James Benjamin “Jimmy” Balknight was born July 8, 1962 in Flint, Michigan, the son of Joe Rufus Balknight and Eva Louise (Roberson) Balknight. “Jimmy” attended Flint Public Schools. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served 3 years. After returning home “Jimmy” became a father, his two sons was his greatest interest. He was employed at Little Joe’s Party Store. “Jimmy” enjoyed watching sports on television. He also loved his family, work and his boss. Mr. James B. “Jimmy” Balknight leaves to cherish his memory: mother of his sons, Regenia Knight; 2 sons, Ja Waunte and James Benjiman “Little Jimmy” Balknight, all of Flint; parents, Joe Rufus and Eva Louise Balknight of Kinston, N.C.; 2 sisters, Ladette Balknight of Rock Hill, S.C. and Laura Ann Balknight of Flint; 3 brothers, Joe Rufus Balknight, Jr. of Flint, Jeffery Allen (Diane) Balknight of Kinston, N.C. and Jerome (Era) Balknight of Flint; 3 nieces, LaQueela Brown (Melvin) Hudson, Lexis Balknight, all of Flint and LaTeya Anderson of Rock Hill, S.C.; 5 nephews, Joe Anthony Brown of Flint, Kevin and Eric Balknight of Germany, Qunitnae Williams of Kinston, N.C., Joe Balknight III of Flint; great-nephews, Ja’Tae and Jamel; 7 aunts, Iris (Ezra) Kelley, Rhonda (David) Knooce of Brooklyn, N.Y., Willie Edna (Robert) Williams of Belleville, IL, Beatrice Westbrook, Evangeline (Elvie) Dixon, Alma Jones, Rosie Wilson, all of Flint; 2 uncles, John Balknight of Flint and William (Rose) Balknight of Philadelphia, PA; a host of cousins other relatives and friends including special cousins, Dewonna Balknight and Danny Ireland; special friends, Joe Assaf and family, Tommie Brown, Jr., Larry Jones and Melvin Mastin. Mr. Balknight was preceded in death by his grandparents, James Benjamin Balknight, Leora Balknight, Willie Roberson, Sr. and Valeria Roberson; aunt, Earlene Roberson; uncles, Willie “Brother” Roberson, Jr. and R.D. (Martha) Balknight; and friend, LaShan Burks. The family would like to express special thanks to VA Adminstration, staff of Avalon Hospice, his boss, Mr. Joe Assaf, special niece, LaQueela Hudson, aunt, Mrs. Beatrice Westbrook, brother, Mr. Joe R. Balknight, Jr., and cousin, Mr. Danny Ireland.

James Balknight

July 8, 1962 - November 2, 2011