Judy Ellis Knighten

Jewel "Judy" Ellis Knighten, 82, a resident of Brantley, Alabama, passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, August 7th, 2023, while surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services for Judy will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, August 10th, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with Rev. Mark Perry officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing. The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday for one hour prior to the service.

Judy's life was marked by love, devotion, and a zest for adventure. For three decades, Judy was a constant presence in the Brantley School lunchroom, where she not only nourished young minds but also showered many of them with the kind of comfort and affection only a mother or grandmother could provide.. She was most assuredly a true Brantley Bulldog who extended her love and unwavering support to her sons and, later, her grandchildren.

Judy's spirit of exploration led her and Johnny on countless road trips, often accompanied by their dear friends, Jerry & Sharon Kilcrease and Peggy & Lavon "Kokomo" Mount. Together, they embarked on memorable journeys across the country, with their final escapade taking them all the way to Alaska. The landscapes they encountered were matched only by the beautiful memories they created. And, while most people tend to take souvenirs away from their many trips, it appears that Judy was more likely to leave a special souvenir behind at most locations they visited: her reading glasses! Beyond her travels, she was a vibrant member of the Brantley Garden Club. Her Christmas decorations illuminated their home, outshining even the brightest lights, and her and Johnny's green thumbs transformed their backyard and surrounding areas into a beautiful haven that she tended to with love and care. Her family claims that you could hand her a stick and it wouldn't take long for her to grow flowers from it, and one glance around the beauty she had already created left you with no doubts about that.

Retirement brought Judy even closer to her heart's delight-her grandchildren. She and Johnny effortlessly managed four grandbabies at once, and you could often find them swinging John, Josie, Elli, and Libby under the sheltering canopy of their processing room patio. Her devotion to them didn't waver as they grew older as she climbed the stands of football games, cheered at pep rallies, tapped her foot to the rhythm of band concerts, and celebrated every victory on the volleyball and softball fields. Her grandchildren weren't just a part of her life; they were her life. She likely even taught those girls a thing or two from her days playing softball herself.

And, oh, could Judy cook! Her kitchen was a hub of warmth and family, where she worked hard to prepare amazing feasts for her loved ones. Holidays were a special occasion, as family and friends gathered around her home to enjoy her savory creations. Her legendary dumplings and dressing were more than just a dish; they were a connection to generations past, a recipe that she lovingly passed down to her daughters-in-law to ensure they remained in the family. One of her favorite activities was to entertain. She loved to host the Garden Club, and honestly didn't need much of an excuse to have a little party. Judy also often shared her amazing meals as well as her time and talents with Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where she was an active member until her illness made it difficult to attend. She found a connection to her faith at Mt. Zion and dedicated her time and money in service to this amazing congregation and community.

Obviously, Judy was a woman of varied interests and unmatched talents, but she was also the kind of person you would never forget. She was forthright and honest to a fault, so you had better be sure you actually wanted her opinion before you asked for it. Even better, she knew how to find humor through even the most difficult circumstances she faced. According to her husband, he had to work to get her, but he proved every single day that she made the right decision. Everyone should be so fortunate to be as loved and cherished as she was by the love of her life. Whether it was cooking her breakfast, pumping her gas, arranging those Christmas decorations just like she told him to, he was her constant and faithful companion. Making a relationship work actually does require a great deal of work, especially with children, grandchildren, and a host of other responsibilities, but they seem to have made it appear effortless (though she may have said the secret was just doing what she said to do!). Judy's legacy is one of love, laughter, and an unyielding spirit. She leaves behind a tapestry of memories woven with care, a testament to a life well-lived and a heart deeply loved. All those who knew and loved her will remember the joy she brought, the love she shared, and the indelible impact she had on all of their lives.

Judy was preceded in death by her grandson, Drake F. Knighten; parents, Otis & Josie Flowers Ellis; and siblings, Lonnie Ellis, Tommy Ellis, Loretta Allen, and Nannie Ree Leatherwood. She is survived by her beloved husband of almost 56 years, Johnny F. Knighten; their sons and daughters-in-law, Johnny E. & Jennifer Knighten and Derek & Erin Knighten; grandchildren, Josie Knighten, John Randall Knighten, Ellis Knighten, and Elizabeth Knighten; brother, Joe (Linda Faye) Ellis; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Active pallbearers will be Johnny E. Knighten, Derek Knighten, John Randall Knighten, Jerry Kilcrease, Ben Knighten, and Steve Ellis. Honorary pallbearers will be Russ Kilcrease, Dr. Charles Tompkins, and Kim Ellis.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Dr. Charles Tompkins, Aveanna Hospice, hospice nurses Tonya Jarman, Renea Walker, and Elizabeth Burgans for their tender loving care of Judy in these last days. They also don't know what they would have done without the dedicated help from family friends like Debora Parks, Russ & Madeline Kilcrease, Sharon Kilcrease, and many others.