Greer Pastor Dies of H1N1 Flu Complications, Funeral Sunday

By: Kristen Nastasia | WSPA-TV
Published: October 23, 2009

You would usually find him working all over Praise Cathedral, but mostly in his media perch dubbed "Kevin's Heaven."

"He's the guy you wanted to see every day," Praise Senior Pastor Jerry Madden said of Kevin Knight's humorous nature.

Knight was the media pastor and also a counselor and teacher for young adults in the church.

"Our congregation is grieving," Pastor Madden said.

Grieving for an entire family Knight left behind. A wife, JoAnna, and two young sons. Knight himself turned 37 the day before he died, after a week long health battle.

"They tested him and said he was positive for H1N1," Pastor Madden said.

Then the complications started. Double pneumonia and an enlarged heart quickly followed and Knight became critically ill. The congregation began prayers and even tried to help their pastor through a "60 Minutes" special on an experimental drug to treat swine flu that's been successful. Knight's family took a laptop to the hospital and doctors watched the story and ordered the drug overnight.

"The doctors had worked and got the drug sent in, but it didn't get there in time," Pastor Madden said.

It was a failed hope for a church family praying their pastor back to health.

"At some point and time we'll fill the position, but no one will ever replace Kevin," Pastor Madden said, because he knows Kevin is now in another heaven.

Visitation for Knight will be held on Saturday from five to eight p.m. at Praise Cathedral. His funeral follows on Sunday at three in the afternoon.
The church is located at 3390 Brushy Creek Road in Greer.

For information on H1N1 vaccine clinics: www.scdhec.gov/flu/clinics.asp

For more information on the H1N1 flu: http://www.scdhec.gov/flu/novel-h1n1-flu.htm