Shirley G. McKnight

Shirley McKnight ObituaryVisit the Families First Funeral Care & Cremation Center website to view the full obituary."I have fought the fine fight, I have run the course to the finish, I have observed the faith" - 2 Timothy 4:7Shirley G. McKnight, aged 70, passed away peacefully at her home in Savannah, Georgia, on March 12, 2026.Born in Washington Court House, Ohio, Shirley was a woman defined by her deep spiritual convictions, her sharp wit, and her unwavering love for her family.Shirley's greatest source of pride was her faith. She dedicated her life to Jehovah on December 7, 1973, at the London Assembly Hall in Ohio and remained one of Jehovah's Witnesses for over five decades. Even when faced with limited mobility, Shirley's passion for the ministry never waned. She found immense joy at the meetings and in sharing her beliefs with others, always encouraged by her husband Steve's supportive words: "Shirley, you did it."On September 8, 1989, Shirley married Stephen McKnight. Their 37-year marriage was a testament to mutual support and shared laughter. Shirley was known for her "deadpan" humor-delivering jokes with such a straight face that you never knew if she was serious until the smile broke.A passionate cook, Shirley turned her kitchen into a classroom for her husband and children. Her legacy lives on through her youngest son, who became a chef, and through the memoriesof her famous Saturday "large breakfasts" of biscuits and gravy. When she wasn't in the kitchen or the ministry, Shirley delighted in the adventure of traveling on cruise ships.She was preceded in death by her father, Val Briggs Crites, and her mother, Doris Thomason.Shirley is survived by her loving husband, Stephen McKnight; her children, Micah Welch, Aaron Welch (Mariann), and Nikki McKnight; her grandchildren, Seth Welch, Kyle Jackson, and Cashton Marino; and her great-granddaughter, McKenna Cleopatra Harvey. She is also survived by her stepmother, Judee Crites; and her siblings Jared Crites (Elizabeth), Stefan Crites (Mona), Stacey Van Hoose (James), Adrienne Crites, Drew Crites (Rachel), Courtney Crites (Ashley), Zachary Crites (Ryna).Read The Full ObituaryTo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.