Edrie “Eddie” Lona Bradley Knight passed away peacefully with her daughter Cheryl, on January 14, 2026. She was an amazing woman who lived an exceptional life for 99 years. Edrie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Allen Marvin Knight, and her son, Tracy Allen Knight.
She was born the daughter of Roy and Mary Bradley and raised in Gastonia, N.C., with her sister Alene Bradley Benson and brother Erman Benson. After high school Edrie chose to follow her love of art and pursue formal training at the Maryland Institute of Art in Baltimore, Md. In addition to receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, she became proficient in 19 mediums of art. After college Edrie returned to North Carolina and began working for Southern Bell as an Illustrator, traveling the state and illustrating ads for the Yellow Page section of local telephone books.
When Edrie married Allen in 1959, they settled in Statesville, N.C., and Edrie enjoyed a successful freelance career. She also belonged to many professional organizations, including the Statesville Artist Guild, Mooresville Artist Guild, Watercolor Society of North Carolina and the High Country Water Media Society of Boone. Her love of learning and love of art never waned; she took more than 40 workshops and exhibited her art in more than 400 shows. Over the years, Edrie received countless awards and recognitions, locally, statewide and received an invitation for one acrylic painting to tour the U.S. for one year, in a large collection with various artists.
At the age of 56, in 1982, she was asked by students and administrators at Mitchell Community College to begin teaching watercolor. Over the next 40 years she touched so many lives, enjoyed the bond of friendship with her students and colleagues, and guided so many people as they discovered their own talents. Edrie continued to teach four classes a week until 2022 when, at the age of 96, she retired due to physical limitations.
While her accomplishments were many, her unwavering love for her family and dear friends will always be remembered. She was the epitome of elegance, grace and selflessness. Edrie is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Howitt (Blake) of Hickory; three grown grandchildren that she adored, Matthew “Matt” Miller (Elizabeth “Liz”) of Morehead City, Kristen Fresco (Charles “Charlie”) of Fayetteville and Lauren Mendenhall of Charlotte. She also leaves behind six great-grandchildren that she felt so blessed to have met and enjoyed; Mikayla Fresco (13), Jackson Fresco (12), Gabriella “Gabby” Fresco (8 mo.), Brayden Lamiroult (7), McKenna Lamiroult (6), Lucas Miller (4).
The family would like to thank, with our deepest gratitude, Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County and their amazing staff for their support and compassion during the last three months. Also, they would like to thank Brookdale Assisted Living Peachtree staff for their care and kindness over the last 3.5 years, as well as Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church and members for their devotion and prayers.
The family will receive friends on Monday, February 23, 2026, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 825 Wesley Drive, Statesville, N.C. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the Sanctuary, with Pastor Dan Money officiating. Burial/interment will follow around 3 p.m. at Iredell Memorial Park, 2304 Shelton Avenue, Statesville, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County and / or Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church. You can find the link below for memorials to be made directly to the charities.
Nicholson Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Knight family.