Valerie Diane Knight

Valerie Diane Knight, age 75 of Amarillo unexpectedly passed from this life on August 2, 2025.

A memorial mass will be on Friday, August 8, 2025, at 10:00 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. The celebrant will be Rev. John Valdez.

Valerie was born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1950, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, to John Joseph and Mary Agnes Kirasic Matta Jr. She graduated from St. Peter’s High School and, following her graduation, proudly enlisted in the United States Navy.

During her Naval service, Valerie met the love of her life and best friend, Michael Knight, on a blind date. The two were married on April 2, 1971, in San Diego, California, beginning a lifelong adventure that would span the next 54 years.

With the impending arrival of their first child, Jennise, Valerie transitioned from active duty to the role of a devoted Naval wife, a position she embraced with dedication and pride. Their family grew to include three more children: Michael, Kevin, and Brian. Valerie cherished her family deeply and kept everything running smoothly, even during Michael’s long absences while he served his country.

Valerie was fun-loving, present, and nurturing. She taught her children valuable life skills such as sewing, cooking, and a variety of crafts and hobbies that she herself loved. A gifted seamstress, she could crochet, knit, and quilt with remarkable skill. Val generously shared her talents with others—teaching, creating, and gifting beautiful handmade items.

The Knight family lived in Amarillo from 1993 until 2007, when they moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee. There, Valerie fulfilled a dream by owning and operating her own quilting shop. In 2016, they returned to Amarillo for good.

Valerie was an active member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. Kind and selfless, she had a servant’s heart and loved spending time with friends and family alike. Christmas Eve was her favorite holiday, a time when her beloved husband, children, and grandchildren—who lovingly called her “Bubbi”—would gather around the table to share a special meal and a heartfelt toast of gratitude.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one grandson, Cooper Knight.

Valerie is survived by her best friend and devoted husband, Michael; her daughter Jennise Knight of Rock Hill, South Carolina; her three sons, Michael Knight Jr and his wife Jennifer of Commerce, Texas, Kevin Knight and his wife Sarah of Spring, Texas, and Brian Knight and his wife Donna of Amarillo, Texas; two sisters, Nancy Matta and Elizabeth Matta both of McKeesport, Pennsylvania; her brother John Matta of St. Paul Minnesota; eight grandchildren, Dustin Knight of Amarillo, Texas, Wren-Ellis Knight of New York, New York, Emma Knight of Amarillo, Texas, Adam Knight of Midland, Texas, Michael Knight III of Commerce, Texas, Oliver Knight of Spring, Texas, Abigail Knight of Commerce, Texas, and Samantha Knight of Amarillo, Texas; and by one great-grandson, Beau of Amarillo, Texas.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Catholic Family Charities of the Texas Panhandle.