Bud Knighton

Mr. Errol Gene, known as "Bud", Knighton, age 75, of Blairsville, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 9, 2016 in Union General Hospital in Blairsville.

Bud was born in Cuthbert, Georgia, on March 17, 1941, a son of the late Samuel Errol Knighton and the late Wanda Estelle Knight Knighton. In high school Bud was voted "Friendliest", and it was easy to see that Bud never met a stranger! He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and served during the Vietnam War in Thailand as Ground Crew for B-52 Bombers. Bud received a Bachelor's degree from Albany State University and was awarded the Health and Education Student of the Year. Bud was a manager for Firestone Tires for 17 years. He loved to share his faith and talk about the Lord. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Murphy. Bud and his wife Sherrill helped in the nursery at church.

Surviving family members left to treasure his memory are his wife of 26 years, Sherrill; a son, Gregory Scott Knighton; a sister, Gaye Knighton Brooks; and two brothers, Earl Leo Cooper, Jr., and Samuel Errol Knighton, Jr. Many other relatives and friends also survive.

Funeral services for Bud will be held on Tuesday, December 13, 2016, at 11:00 at the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home in Blairsville with Rev. Jimmy Tanner officiating. Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. that afternoon at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia. The following gentlemen have been selected to serve as pallbearers: Eddie Kirkland, Luke Stewart, Tom Maryscuk, Curtis Colwell, and Dick Howington. North Georgia Honor Guard will present military honors.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home of Monday evening, December 12, 2016, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bud's honor may be made to your favorite children's charity.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory of Blairsville. Please share your condolences and fond memories with the family on our website, www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.