Emiko McKnight

Mrs. Emiko Kono “Bachan” McKnight

Emiko “Bachan” McKnight, age 83 of Newton died early Tuesday afternoon November 13, 2018 in a local hospital after an extended illness.

 Her wish and Asian custom for a simple cremation is being orchestrated by Randy Crenshaw and Jason Shepard with Family First Funeral & Cremation Care.  A celebration of life will be held by the family at a later time.

Mrs. McKnight was born in San Pedro, Ca., daughter of the late Shukue Kono and Makino Takahashi Kono. In her early childhood she lived in California and during WWII the Kono family was relocated to Camp Manzanar an internment camp.  She met her husband to be, Thomas Hayward McKnight while working for a Dentist office as a Dental Hygienist when he came in as a patient while visiting friends in the area.  After marriage they moved their family to Newton in 1971 where she lived the remainder of her lifetime. Emiko had a love for gardening from her Asian upbringing, enjoyed knitting and had a special love for her grand and great-grandchildren.  Her family affectionally called her “Bachan” which translated means Grandmother.  Other than her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Thomas Hayward McKnight, a brother Yoshitaka (John) Kono and her sister Miyeko Kono.

Survivors include her 3 sons Mike (Susan) McKnight of Dothan, Vernon (Melanie) McKnight of Newton, Todd McKnight and his special friend Michele Cook of Troy, her daughter Janise (Joe) Newbury of Italy, a brother Tokashi “Tabo” (Yoko) Kono of Palmdale, Ca, 10 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Family First Funeral & Cremation Care, 965 Woodland Dr., Dothan, AL

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