Mrs. Margiesteene Clark McKnight was born on July 24, 1937, in Winston Salem, N.C., to the late Gertrude Neal Clark and Norman Milton Morten. Her earthly life ended June 10, 2025, at Pruitt Place Senior Living Community.

Margiesteene attended 14th Street School and Atkins High School, after graduation she enrolled at Winston Salem Teacher's College now "Winston Salem State University" graduating in 1959. After graduation, Margiesteene taught at Griffith Middle and Paisley Magnet Middle schools where she became an English teacher that her students and parents grew to love and admire. She retired from teaching in 1993.

Margiesteene was a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church family, born while her mother was a faithful member of the Goler Memorial A. M. E. Zion church. She could truly say, " I grew up as a Zionite". While at Goler in 1950, she met James L. McKnight the love of her life. The two celebrated 70 years of marriage on December 4, 2024.

Margiesteene also joined Goler A. M. E. Zion church where she served as a member of the Young Adult Resource Ministry, the  Pastor's Aide, The Women Home and Overseas Missionary Society, the Five W(s): "We Will Work Won't WE", the Kitchen Committee, a Member of the Harrison Avenue Samaritan Club, taught the  Adult Sunday School class, and was a member of the Retired Teachers Association. In 1991, she and her husband began attending John Wesley A.M.E. Zion where she served as the President of the Essie Love Scholarship Committee, the Look Out Service Club, the Chairman of the Birthday Party Club, the Trustee Board, the Steward Board, and worked as the church and Quarterly Conference secretary.

She and Mr. McKnight were invaluable contributors sharing their interpretations of the scriptures during the Stewards Chapel A.M.E. Zion Zoom Bible Study discussions each Wednesday night. She loved her friends and community. You knew that from the many gifts, hats, scarves, delicious pound cakes [that she baked], and the beautiful cards that she sent out on numerous occasions that brought joy, comfort, and encouragement to their lives.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories, her husband James L. McKnight; one daughter Sharron Clipper (Earl Clipper) of Hiram, Georgia;  three grandchildren: D'Maris Daminique Clipper of Lithia Springs, Georgia; Jarrett Erl Clipper of Charlotte, NC; Erricka Alysse Clipper of Hiram, Georgia; five great grandchildren: Jerron Christian Wright, Iyanna Jade Cass, Trinitee Lavonda Wright, Braelyn Alexa Glass, and  Kai Montroy Charles Wright; Tyler and Brianna Tatem, whom she loved and adored claiming them as her grands and a host of loving friends.

A celebration of her life will be held at 12:00 pm Wednesday June 18, 2025 at John Wesley AME Zion Church 1800 NE 25th St. Winston-Salem, NC 27105. The family will receive friends from 11:00am-12:00pm at the church. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. Her remains may be viewed Tuesday June 17, 2025 from 12pm-5pm at the funeral home.