Dr. Eva Harriet Goff Knight was born May 23, 1933, in Leesburg, FL. Her parents were far from home; her father was an esteemed scientist conducting research in a still-wild central Florida. While Eva played by the lakeshore one day, a gator pursued; Eva’s mother shot it and posed proudly with the carcass. In the midst of this adventurous life, her mother died when Eva was 3, and her father when she was 5.
She was raised in Baltimore by her maternal aunt, Frances Shultz. Eva grew to love city life and was raised with a healthy mischievousness to complement her inherited adventurousness. She graduated from Goucher College there before completing graduate school in New York City at Ivy League Columbia University—earning both a master’s degree (1963) and doctorate (1968) in Teacher Education—and was appointed to faculty at a New York university. Although her parents left money specifically for her education, her uncle cautioned her against getting a doctorate because no man would want to marry her. She paid him no mind—and became a lifelong advocate for education and women.
Eva met Royal Knight in 1971 and married in 1972. She helped him obtain his doctorate—as her classmate at Columbia was now Royal’s faculty advisor—and they grew their family with a son in 1975. In 1981, they settled in Florence, Alabama. The following year—and throughout the decade—Eva accompanied Royal to weeks-long treatments in Memphis for cancer, fighting to keep Chris from losing a parent. Royal survived another 32 years; she survived her own fight with cancer decades later.
Eva went to work at Hibbett Middle and Bradshaw High School as the librarian, using that as a platform to continue educating teachers. She built a strong family and cherished long-term friendships; she enjoyed church, current events, travel, reading, community cultural activities, walking and games. She was active in AAUW, Optimist Club, and Pilot Club. She was an accomplished soprano, sang and served as an officer in Camerata, and sang in the choir at First Christian and First Presbyterian Churches. She was witty, mischievous, and playful; her resilience was tremendous and her faith unshakeable.
Eva died July 1 at Helen Keller Hospital and is buried in Funks Grove Cemetery in Illinois, next to her husband of 42 years and her Aunt Frances—and steps away from her parents. A graveside service was held July 13 and she was honored at Homecoming in her family’s Illinois church July 14. Eva is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Karis Knight, MD, of Tallahassee, Florida, and their family, two brothers-in-law—Loyal (Carolyn) and Garrel (Judy) Knight—and countless nieces and nephews.
No further services are planned by the family, but we thank the aides who took care of Mom at home. Phone calls, texts, and emails are welcomed to 256-457-4071 and chrisknighthome@yahoo.com; we want to hear your stories about Mom!
