Rozlind Knight

Celebration of Life

Let me start off by saying, welcome. On behalf of the family, thank you for being here. We are here to celebrate the life of Rozlind Knight Hardman. I want to say thank you to the family for allowing me to be a part of this celebration of life. When a follower of Jesus Christ leaves this earth, it is a true celebration as scripture tells us to be absent from the body is to be in the presence of God almighty. We know that Rozlind is with Jesus.

Let’s pray.

I would like to start out with some scripture, it comes from Revelation chapter 21 verses 1-8 and it says:

Scripture Reading — Revelation 21:1–8 (ESV)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”

This passage from Revelation paints a vision of true hope. It is not a vague or distant comfort, but a radiant promise: that God Himself is bringing renewal, wholeness, and everlasting peace.

Revelation was written by John who was one of Jesus closest friends and disciple. He wrote what he saw and what Jesus told Him to write.

Here Jesus tells us that death is not the end; it is a doorway into new life. He tells us that the tears we shed here are not forgotten; they are seen and He will wipe them away.

For those who walk in faith, this passage is not about endings instead it’s about transformation. It’s about the moment when everything broken is mended, when everything weary is made new.

And today, as we remember Rozlind, we see that truth reflected in the way she lived her life.

A Tribute to Rozlind

Rozlind was a woman of depth and spirit. I asked family to give me words that defined who she was and was told that she was loving, generous, compassionate, accepting of all, honest, adventurous, strong-willed, and lovable. All this with a sprinkle of Her daddy to keep things in check.

She loved deeply and fully, not just in words, but in the countless ways she showed up for others. Whether through a warm smile, a listening ear, or a helping hand, Rozlind lived out a quiet kind of grace. One that is rooted in authenticity. She had a gift for making others feel seen and accepted, no matter who they were or where they came from.

She was real. She was the kind of person who spoke her mind after all she was a Knight, but always did so with heart. Her honesty came from a place of care, and her words carried weight because they were true. She was generous, not only with what she had, but with who she was.

Her compassion ran deep. She didn’t just feel for others; she felt with them. She celebrated your joys, carried your burdens, and stood beside you through every storm another great quality of being from the Knight clan.

Rozlind was also adventurous. She was full of life, curiosity, and courage. She wasn’t afraid to try new things, to explore, to live boldly. Her strong will was a reflection of her strength of character. She faced life’s challenges with resilience and grace, never losing sight of what truly mattered, meaning love, family, laughter, and truth.

And perhaps above all, Rozlind was loyal. She was loyal to her husband and to her family, to her friends , to her beliefs, and to her heart. If you were part of her life, you knew that loyalty. You felt it. You could count on her, always.

Speaking of loyalty and love, Danny, Rozlind loved you. You were her everything while here on the earth. You were truly her best friend. The two of you were described to me as two old souls going through life together. What a testament of what marriage is supposed to look like. I cannot begin to image what you are going through emotionally as you grieve, but I do know that we serve a God who who promises to never leave or forsake us even in difficult times. He who made this promise is true and you can count on Him for strength and courage during these difficult moments.

A Life That Reflects God’s Promise

In Revelation, God declares, “Behold, I am making all things new.” That’s not just a promise for the world to come — it’s a truth that begins here, in the love we give and the lives we touch.

Rozlind’s life was part of that renewal. Every act of kindness, every moment of laughter, every truth spoken in love. All of these were glimpses of the new heaven and new earth God is bringing to life through His people.

Now, Rozlind has stepped fully into that promise. She is free from pain, free from sorrow, and she is wrapped in perfect peace. The same loving God who walked beside her here now holds her in His eternal embrace.

While we grieve her absence, we also celebrate the gift of her life and the legacy she leaves behind. A legacy of love, honesty, compassion, and courage.

Her love remains. Her laughter echoes in our hearts. Her spirit continues to inspire us to live fully, love freely, and be true to ourselves just as she did.

Closing Words

We find comfort today in knowing that this goodbye is not forever. Rozlind has gone before us into the new creation God has promised — a place where there is no more pain, no more tears, and no more parting.

May we carry her memory with joy, her love with gratitude, and her example with courage. And may we look forward, with hope, to the day when we will once again be able to see her.

For those who want to see her again, but are not sure how, let me share the Faith acronym:

F Is for Forgiveness

Everyone has sinned and needs God’s forgiveness.

Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

God’s forgiveness is provided by the work of Christ.

Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

A Is for Available

God’s forgiveness is available for all.

John 3:16 “God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

God’s forgiveness is available but not automatic.

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.”

I Is for Impossible

According to the Bible, it is impossible to get to heaven on our own.

Ephesians 2:8-9 “By grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.”

So how can a sinful person have eternal life and enter heaven?

T Is for Turn

If you were going down the road and someone asked you to turn, what would he or she be asking you to do? (Change direction)

Turn means repent. Turn away from sin and self.

Luke 13:3 “Unless you repent, you will all perish as well!”

Turn to Jesus alone as your Savior and Lord.

John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

H Is for Heaven

Heaven is a place where we will live with God forever.

John 14:3 “If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.”

Eternal life begins now with Jesus.

John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance.”

H can also stand for how.

How can a person have God’s forgiveness, eternal life, and heaven?

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

By trusting Jesus as your Savior and Lord.

I pray that if you haven’t done this, that today would be that day. You can walk out of this place different than you walked in. It is according to scripture, it is the only way we will see Rozlind again.

Let’s pray.