Tammy Michell (Trudeau) Knight

Tammy Michell Knight, 46 of Laurel, passed away Sunday at Merit Health Wesley in Hattiesburg. She was born January 2, 1975 in Laurel, the daughter of Gary Allen Trudeau and Marilyn Hill Graham. It is difficult to summarize such a wonderful person as Tammy, in just a few short sentences. Tammy is said to have been "a handfull" growing up and there's no reason to doubt that. Soft-hearted and very sensitive from early on, she was also very outspoken and blunt. Growing up, she spent lots of time at the skating rink, loved going to the movies and just hanging out with her friends. But no matter where Tammy was, she was the life of the party and ever the center of attention. She graduated from West Jones High School in the early 90s and went to cosmetology school, choosing not to complete the program. Tammy worked at Walmart for a few years before going to work at a Clark's gas station, where she soon became the manager, also managing a couple others in the Laurel area over the years. She had always been creative and loved trees, even to the point of collecting them. She had found her "calling" though, working for the past couple of years as the floral manager at Parker's Wholesale. Tammy is lovingly remembered as a friendly, outgoing woman, always looking for her next adventure. She was a kind, loving, hardworking woman who always made you smile. A single mom who always provided for her kids, Tammy was all the more excited to have recently became a grandmother again. That was the highlight of her life to date, even going into the delivery room with her daughter, coaching her to PUSH, PUSH, PUSH...even when she wasn't supposed to be pushing. Tammy was the very definition of "crazy", always happy, never met a stranger, could literally talk for hours and was the sweetest lady ever. She was always willing to help anyone, even giving a roof to stay under if needed. A colorful diva that loved to laugh, she will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by everyone who knew and loved her. Tammy was preceded by her father, Gary Trudeau, Sr. and her (fiance's) grandson, Robert Jasper, Jr. Left to cherish her memories are: her loving fiance and soul mate for the past seventeen years, Richard McCray of Laurel; her children, Isabella Knight (Shelby Williams), Garrison Knight (Hannah Jenkins), Jonathan Knight and Sheikela (Dennis) Paige, all of Laurel; her mother Marilyn (Samuel) Hill, and siblings, Shannon Trudeau and Gary Allen (Jodi) Trudeau, II, all of Ovette; bonus sisters Lea Ann (Matthew) Ulmer, Ann Rider-Griffith, and a bonus brother, Timothy Austin, with her best friend Rachelle. Tammy leaves a legacy of five grandchildren: Dekryone and Derrick Coleman, Isabella and Gabriella Paige, and Taylen Allen Williams, along with a host of extended family and friends far and wide. Funeral services are set for Thursday, October 7th at Trinity Funeral Services' Lumberton branch. Visitation will begin at 12:00 PM, followed by a chapel service at 2:30 with Rev. Tommy Jones officiating. Interment will follow in the Ovett Cemetery. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Knight family in their time of need. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers over this trying time.