Christopher Glenn Knighton

Christopher Glen Knighton, age 76, of Roswell, Georgia transitioned to his heavenly home with the Lord on Saturday, January 3, 2026. He was born September 3, 1949 in Biloxi, Mississippi, the son of Marshall and Dorothy Knighton.

Chris lived a full life. He experienced growing up as a traditional baby boomer in a WWII military family. After moving around a bit, his mom and dad settled in Marietta, GA in 1956 and Chris graduated from Sprayberry High School in 1967. In his youth, he played baseball, and became a competitive bowler and golfer. He met Shirley, the love of his life, whom he married in 1970 and remained faithfully by her side until her passing in 2020. The marriage was blessed with three loving children; Christine, John and Nicole. He is called Papa by his eight grandchildren.

In his adult years, he completed a Bachelors in Political Science from Georgia State University, and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Doctor of Law from Woodrow Wilson College of Law. Chris practiced as an attorney in Georgia for over 40 years. While starting as a generalist, he ultimately specialized in civil litigation and immigration. As a lawyer, personal injury paid the bills, but immigration fed the soul. Chris and Shirley had the privilege of working together as a team to fill one of the greatest needs in American healthcare by working to bridge Filipino nurses with American hospitals. Chances are if you find yourself in an Atlanta hospital with a Filipino nurse, that nurse will know Chris and Shirley Knighton. They helped change lives and altered the course for so many families through their hard work and patience.

Chris was funny, witty, curious, kind of picky like ordering a steak medium+, fries needed to be hot, and “the best Coca-Cola is from Provino’s”, but also as simple as a bag of Hershey Kisses and some Lay’s BBQ chips. He was a proud father of his kids and even more so of his grandkids. He was young at heart, always cheering for the good guys, which means his grandkids, the Atlanta Braves, Georgia Bulldogs and the Atlanta Falcons—who failed to ever win a Super Bowl in his lifetime. He drove a little out of his way for some good ribs, a dog track, lottery tickets, or a casino for some action. But you could also find him at Catholic Mass with Shirley and the kids on Sundays at some of the most random churches in the world.

Chris was a great husband, father, grandfather and friend. His one-of-a-kind spirit and big personality will forever be missed. His full life, curiosity in others, and ability to influence will remain in the lives of all who knew him.

Chris will be forever cherished by his loving family; daughter Christine Peacock and grandchildren Isabelle(21) and Walker(15) Peacock of Baltimore; son John and daughter-in-law Tiffany and grandchildren Jack(20), Will(19), Drew(16) and Ella(13) Knighton of Germantown, Tennessee; and daughter Nicole and son-in-law Jeff and grandchildren Elora Grace(10) and Tobias (5 months) Villar of Anaheim Hills, California.

A visitation beginning at 9:00 AM Friday morning, followed by a service at 10:00 AM will take place January 9, 2026 at Roswell Funeral Home, 950 Mansell Road, Roswell, Georgia 30076. Interment will take place at Green Lawn Cemetery immediately following the service.