Martha Ann McKnight

Martha Ann McKnight (1941 – 2026)

Ready for the Celebration

Martha Ann McKnight passed away peacefully on July 15, 2026, surrounded by her sons and the love of her family and friends. She was 85 years old.

Although Martha spent nearly fifty years calling South Florida home, she was, at heart and always, a proud Texan. Born and raised in Fort Worth, she remained forever a devoted daughter of Texas, an unapologetic patriot, and an American who deeply loved God, family, and country. The red, white, and blue weren't simply colors to Martha – they reflected the values by which she lived: faith, freedom, family, and gratitude.

She attended Arlington Heights High School, where she was an immensely popular student and all-star cheerleader, with the same warmth, confidence, and joyful spirit that she carried for the rest of her life. Voted Most Athletic Girl as a senior, Martha then became a proud Red Raider at Texas Tech University, where she pledged Delta Delta Delta Sorority, and formed lifelong friendships.

Adventure became Martha's way of life.

She welcomed her firstborn, David, while living in La Paz, Bolivia, and Steven, after moving to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The family also resided in Nairobi, Kenya, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She cherished living overseas, as it broadened her perspective while reinforcing her appreciation for home, faith, and family.

In the late 1970s, Martha made South Florida her home, where she became an entrepreneur and founded Freelance Court Reporters, a successful court reporting business that earned the trust and respect of attorneys, judges, and clients throughout South Florida, reflecting the excellence and integrity with which she approached everything. Faith was the foundation of Martha's life.

Raised in a devoted Baptist family by her beloved parents, Charles and Martha, she carried those values throughout her life, becoming an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale, where she served as a deacon and participated in numerous ministries dedicated to serving both the church and surrounding community. She lived her faith through compassion, generosity, hospitality, and quiet acts of service.

Anyone who knew Martha knew she was passionate about sports. 

Possessing an extraordinary knowledge of basketball and football, she could discuss players, coaches, statistics, and games with remarkable enthusiasm. She remained fiercely loyal to Texas Tech while also becoming an unwavering Florida Gator. Long before her younger brother, Norman, became a standout basketball player at Texas Tech, played professionally in Belgium, and was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame, Martha was teaching him how to shoot a basketball in the driveway. She never stopped cheering him on.

Her baking was legendary.

Family and friends eagerly anticipated Martha's famous Poppyseed Cake and her beloved Texas Chocolate Cake, both made with loving hands and an even more generous heart.

Martha also had unmistakable style.

She believed life was worth celebrating and was always prepared to celebrate. Weekly appointments for her beautifully styled hair and signature bright red nails. She carried herself with confidence, grace, elegance, and unmistakable Texas flair. Whether attending church, cheering at a sporting event, gathering with family, or meeting friends for lunch, Martha always showed up with joy for life and living.

Her family affectionately describes her approach to life as “all gas, no brakes”; she embraced every opportunity, adventure, conversation, and celebration with enthusiasm. She lived fully, loved deeply, laughed often, and made the ordinary feel special.

Above every accomplishment, Martha's greatest joy was her family.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, David McKnight, the love of her life and her cherished parents, Charles and Martha, who shaped her faith and character.

She is lovingly survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, David and Alicia Bryant, and Steven and Carey Bryant; treasured grandchildren, Katherine, Morgan, Jack, Grace, and Claudia; brother, Norman Reuther, and his wife, Lynn; nieces, Melissa and Rhonda; nephew, Randy; great-niece, Sadie; great-nephew, Asa; step-grandchildren, Trent, Brody, and Baylor; and countless extended family members, church friends, colleagues, and lifelong friends, all of whom are forever enriched by knowing her.

Nothing brought Martha greater joy than being “Grandmother.” She delighted in celebrating every milestone, cheering on every accomplishment, offering unwavering encouragement, and creating treasured memories with her grandchildren. Her love, wisdom, faith, and spirit will live on through them for generations.

Perhaps no phrase describes Martha better than “Ready for the Celebration.”

Martha lived boldly, loved generously, served faithfully, celebrated joyfully. May we honor her by living with the same faith, kindness, courage, gratitude, and joy that she shared so freely with all of us. She was always ready – for family dinners, birthday parties, church gatherings, sporting events, holidays, travel adventures, coffee with a friend, or simply another beautiful day. She taught us that life is a gift meant to be embraced with gratitude, laughter, generosity, and unwavering faith.

And now, having lived a life marked by courage, service, adventure, and love, we find comfort in knowing she has entered the greatest celebration of all, welcomed into the loving presence of her Lord and Savior and greeted with the words of Scripture: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” – Matthew 25:23

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection and Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale, followed by a reception where family and friends are invited to gather, share stories, laughter, and treasured memories of a life beautifully lived.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale or to the MDS Foundation in honor of Martha.

Martha traveled the world, built a successful business, served her church faithfully, cheered passionately for her teams, welcomed everyone to her table, baked unforgettable cakes, and loved her family with all her heart.

Martha was always ready for the celebration. May we honor her by living with the same faith, kindness, courage, gratitude, and joy that she shared so freely with all of us.