Marilyn Mercer Knight

She was preceded in death by her husband, A. W. “Jack” Knight; her brothers James Mercer and Johnny Mercer; her parents James Augusta Mercer and Lucille Barwick Mercer; and her grandparents James Lemuel Mercer, Lula Swain Clark, Courtland Horatio Barwick, and Florence Estelle Wright. Marilyn is survived by her children: John (Karen) Knight, Tom (Sonya) Knight, Rick (Joni) Knight, and Jeff (Elizabeth) Knight; seven grandchildren, Allison, Jennifer, Michael, Brittany, Chelsea, Lauren, and Brandon; and five great-grandchildren, Rylee, Gavin, Lucas, Zachary, and Jubilee. She is also survived by her sister Stella E. Mercer (Fruge), sister-in-law Lou Mercer, and brother-in-law Frank (Johnnie) Knight, along with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.



As the first child of Army Lt. James A. Mercer, Sr. and Lucille Barwick Mercer, Marilyn faced early tragedy when her mother was taken in an automobile accident when she was just four years old. She was raised with care by her paternal grandparents, James Lemuel Mercer and Lula Swain Clark. Marilyn grew up attending the Baptist Church, but her deep love for her family later led her to convert to Catholicism in beautiful solidarity with her daughters-in-law.
 


Growing up with her grandparents in the American South, Marilyn was taught the traditional values of her era, especially manners and dress, remembering when she was expected to dress "ladylike" only dresses, skirts, and blouses—never pants. It was during these formative years that her grandmother introduced her to the art of Southern cooking. Marilyn’s fondest childhood memories were spent in the kitchen, happily baking cookies, cakes, pies, and making her favorite, "spaghetti." It was also in rural Tennille that she developed a deep, lifelong love for dogs and cats, animals that brought her immense happiness and truly made her life whole.



Marilyn graduated from Tennille High School on May 24, 1950, and went on to attend the Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville. Throughout her high school years, she excelled in her favorite subject, science, but truly came alive at sporting events. As a basketball player and a spirited cheerleader for the high school football team, she sparked a lifelong passion for sports, one that naturally evolved into an unwavering devotion to Georgia Bulldogs football.
 


On September 5, 1952, Marilyn eloped in Eastman, Georgia, with her first true boyfriend, A. W. Knight, whom she affectionately called “Jack.” After celebrating their marriage with a honeymoon in Daytona Beach, Jack's military duties took him abroad to Canada and Africa. Marilyn remained at home during these remote assignments, entering the workforce as a "Bell Telephone" girl in Tennille. Serving as a local switchboard operator, she became a vital part of the town’s daily rhythm, holding the community's secrets and stories. Following Jack’s return from overseas, Marilyn’s lifelong dreams of building a family and exploring the world took flight. Their journey began in 1955 while stationed in Albany, Georgia, where they rented their first home and welcomed their eldest son, Johnny. Marilyn always possessed a sharp wit; upon receiving an additional Air Force dependent allowance for the baby, she fondly recalled joking, “The baby doesn’t eat that much!” The family continued to grow alongside Jack's military career. Their second son, Tommy, was born in 1957 during an assignment in Homestead, Florida, followed by their third son, Ricky, in 1960 while stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi. After brief assignments in Roswell, New Mexico, and San Angelo, Texas, the Knight family packed their bags for their greatest adventure yet: an assignment on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Crete.



Marilyn’s love for travel truly began with a leap of faith. With Jack already stationed ahead of them, she boarded her first-ever flight, a long TWA transatlantic journey to Europe—courageously managing three young boys by herself. She looked back on that trip as a beautiful highlight of her life, filled with the joy of upcoming family reunion and global exploration. Their Mediterranean chapter brought another milestone in 1965. Since the air base in Crete did not have a maternity ward, Marilyn journeyed across the sea to Tripoli, Libya, where they welcomed their youngest son, Jeffrey.

In 1966, the family arrived in San Antonio for a brief two-year stay before embarking on a five-year assignment to Germany. Marilyn deeply cherished her years in Crete and Germany, where she forged lifelong friendships with fellow military families and absolutely enjoyed dancing and socializing at the base NCO and Rod & Gun clubs.



The Knight family finally settled permanently in San Antonio in 1972. There, Marilyn explored her creative side through arts, ceramics, and painting, while also taking up golf. She and Jack remained passionate world travelers, eventually satisfying their wanderlust by completely circumnavigating the globe.


In 1990, they built their dream home in Helotes, Texas to enjoy their retirement years alongside their expanding family. A dedicated and loving homemaker, Marilyn found her greatest joy in the people she loved and in the tenderness, she had for her pets that she loved so dearly. Her family was her proudest treasure and her happiest place. She cherished time with her children, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, offering a steady and devoted love that will continue to be felt for generations.

Marilyn leaves behind a legacy of love, closeness, and bright memories—an enduring reminder that a life well lived is one that makes room for both family and joy, both home and horizons.

Services for Marilyn will be held at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home on September 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM. Afterward, she will be reunited with her husband, Jack, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 1:30 PM. Following the burial, a reception will be held at the Knights residence, 31008 Woodbine Way, Fair Oaks Ranch, TX 78015.