Abe Ricky Mcknight

Most knew him as “Big Mac” or Mr. McKnight, but he was born Abe Ricky McKnight in Nashville, Tennessee on January 18, 1956, to William F. and Willie D. (Hall) McKnight.

Ricky attended Riverside Elementary School, Haynes School and graduated from East High School. Ricky furthered his education by attending Tennessee State University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. He was a member of the Tennessee State University Aristocrat Band. And would always say, I’m a “crat till the day I die!” He is preceded in death by his daughter Precious McKnight, his parents and brother William B. (Billy/Yam) Lockridge.

Ricky accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at an early age and was an active member and Minister of Music at Roger Heights Baptist Church. He worked with the Angelic Choir, Choir No. 2, Sanctuary Choir, and the Men’s Chorus. He was also the musician and director for the Haynes Alumni Choir and Lee Chapel Children’s Choir.

Ricky’s music career started at an early age. It began when his father purchased a piano for his sister (Cynthia) to take piano lessons who was working and going to college. Ricky’s father looked at Ricky’s mother and said that someone had to play that piano. Ricky’s mother looked at him and said, “You will do”! Since then, he has been a musician from the heart. His first passion for music along with playing in his brother’s band “Inception” has taken him all across the USA. As a published author writing is his second passion and presently, he has published two (2) books.

He met and married his wife of forty-one (41) years, Renna Newbill on December 29, 1979 and to this union they had four children: Eric, William, Candace and Precious (deceased).
Ricky was an employee of the Metro Public Nashville school system for eighteen plus years. His love for music continued to grow and branch out to others by teaching music, choral, voice, drums, piano, keyboards, and bass guitar. He loved music and loved teaching his students! Ricky retired in 2017 due to health challenges.

He leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted wife, Renna; three children: Eric S. (Tahisha), William A. (Dequisha), and Candace L.; eight grandchildren: Eric S. Jr., MeNaja, Michael, William A. Jr., Ja’Shea, Benjamin, Judah and Kiya; two great-grandchildren: Miyah and Josiah; sister: Cynthia (Stanley) Marshall; his devoted brother’s wife Dorothy Lockridge; devoted nieces: Cherlyn and LeAndrea; nephew: Brandon along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives. And let’s not forget his extended family – all the students that he has taught over the years.

If you would have asked Ricky sum up his life he would tell you that he is first a child of God, a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather which he took great pride in being. An avid reader and musician. He believed that the regular men are the backbone of this great nation and that it’s not about the beginning or the end of a man’s life but the journey he takes in between.