Melissa Crouch Evans-Knight

Melissa was born on February 18, 1959, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Everett C. Crouch, Jr. and Deborah Sinton Gray Crouch. She grew up in Jacksonville and graduated from The Bolles School before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from

Florida State University, where she was a proud pledge of Kappa Kappa Gamma.

Melissa dedicated her professional life to helping children. Throughout her career, she served at Hope Haven Children’s Hospital and with the Duval County Public School system as a teacher, tutor, and Certified Reading Specialist, where her compassion, patience, and commitment made a lasting difference in the lives of countless students and families.

Melissa was previously married to Jerry Evans, with whom she shared two beloved children, Logan and Haydon Evans.

On June 22, 2020, she married Keith Alan Knight. Together they shared a love of travel. They especially enjoyed exploring national parks including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, and the Grand Teton National Park. Melissa found joy in life’s simple pleasures — gardening in her beautiful yard, birding, camping and hiking, and expressing her creativity through home decorating. Her warmth, kindness, and thoughtful spirit touched everyone who knew her.

She was a faithful member of the Episcopal Church. Melissa also generously gave her time volunteering with Meals on Wheels and Animal Care & Protective Services, reflecting her lifelong compassion for both people and animals.

Melissa was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, John William Gray, Sr. and Marietta Sinton Gray; her paternal grandparents, Dr. Everett Cornish Crouch, Sr. and Olivia Bailey Crouch; and her uncles, Bruce McLaughlin, Dr. Thomas Tindal

Crouch, John William Gray, Jr. and Richard DeBlasio; and step-father Gary Lee Harmon.

She is survived by her loving husband, Keith Alan Knight; her children Logan Evans (Lianne), Haydon Evans (Rachael), her parents, Dr. Everett Cornish Crouch, Jr. (Geraldine) and Deborah Gray Harmon; her siblings, Deborah Nolen, Laura Phillips (Michael), Everett “Eddie” Crouch III, and David Crouch (Jennifer); her stepchildren, Justin Knight, Benjamin Knight and Anna Knight; stepbrothers, Tom Harmon (Jamie), James Harmon (Patti), Nathan Harmon (Karen); cousins, Thomas Crouch, Jr. (Paula), Katy Crouch, and Frances Crouch Canter (Bill), Diana Gray Schumacher, Peter Gray (Megan), Morgan McLaughlin Smith (Than), Justin McLaughlin (Dora), Richard DeBlasio (Brigitte), Libby DeBlasio Webster (Eric) and her nieces and nephews, Farris Nolen, Jr., Wright Nolen (Micala), Mallory Bosque (Ruben), Caroline Reid-Foley (Sean), Brooke Crouch, Madison Crouch, Graysin (Gracie) Phillips; as well as numerous aunts and uncles, extended family members, and dear friends.

The family extends special thanks to the doctors and nurses at Mayo Clinic for the compassionate care provided during her illness, and to the many friends and loved ones who offered guidance, support, and loved her tremendously.

Donations may be made in Melissa’s honor to the American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/donate.html or the National Pancreas Foundation https://pancreasfoundation.org/ways-to-give/

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026 at 1PM at Hardage Giddens Funeral Home, 11801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223 with a reception to follow.