Joshua Julius McKnight was born on February 20, 1958, in North Carolina.  He was adopted at the age of 15 by two loving families, the Bailey's and the Jackson's. He was the second youngest of Helen Bailey's children and the second oldest of Elnora Jackson's children. He peacefully transitioned on February 10, 2026, after a long battle of stage four cancer surrounded by love and joy with family and friends.

Joshua graduated from Job Corps with varies trades in food service, brick layering, custodial, landscaping and construction work. He was known to his family and community as a jack of all trades. Joshua was a faithful man. He loved the Lord and his faith became stronger over the years of feeding on the Lord's words and his will. Joshua McKnight was baptized at Harvest International Full Gospel Baptist Center by Pastor Mary P. Bonner and took the right hand of fellowship at Bethany Baptist Missionary Church under the guidance of Pastor Eli Melvin.

Joshua McKnight thought highly of his siblings and was a devoted family man. He believed the children were our future and helped to keep them on the right path.

He preceded in death by two mothers, Helen Bailey and Elnora Jackson; three nephews, Elliott Jackson, Demetrius Crocker and Rashann Crocker.

Joshua leaves to cherish his memories: three children, Shonda Anderson, Beyonka McKey and Charles McKey; five grandchildren, Janilyah M Key, Kanaja Coleman, Charles McKey, Jr., Javion McKey and Kaliyah Robinson; siblings, Juanita Rogers, Willie Bailey, Jr. (Carolyn), James Bailey (Danette), Wilbert Robb, Michael Robb, Helen Bolden, Aurelia Hill, Denise Haverty-Jackson (Bruce Haverty); stepfather, Robert Hazelwood; his life partner, Ella Thorpe; devoted friends, Michelle McKey, Eli Roberts and James Richardson; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

We wish to thank you, our many friends and relatives, for your kind expressions of sympathy. Your assuring words, your visitations, prayers, and all the sympathetic gestures shown during this time of bereavement. May God bless each of you.

Services will be held 2:00 P.M., Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Harvest International Full Gospel Baptist Center, Inc., 1017 W. Washington Street, Petersburg, VA, Chief Apostle Mary P. Bonner, Pastor, eulogist.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page.