Jerry Culbreth Knight, 82, of Palm Coast, Florida, passed away on September 14, 2026, in Daytona Beach, Florida, following a brief illness. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, friend, mentor, and faithful servant of the Lord.
Jerry was born on July 15, 1944, in Dothan, Alabama. He grew up on his family’s homestead in Ashford, Alabama, and was the third of six children. His upbringing and deep Alabama roots remained an important part of who he was throughout his life. The values of faith, family, hard work, perseverance, and service that he learned growing up stayed with him and shaped the man he became.
Jerry graduated from Troy University in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1961 to 1965 and the United States Army from 1967 to 1969 before beginning a long and successful career as an accountant. Over the years, he worked with companies including Shell Oil Company, Sonoco Paper Products, Prystup Packaging, and ITT Utility Company of Palm Coast. He then went into business for himself with Automated Business Management and then Grace Accounting Service from 2004 to present day. He also served as an accountant for several churches, using his professional gifts in service to ministries and people he cared deeply about.
In 1977, Jerry married the love of his life, Marsha Smith Knight, beginning a marriage that lasted nearly 50 years. Together, they built a family and a life centered around faith, love, and commitment. Jerry was a devoted husband and a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Above all else, Jerry was a good Christian man who loved the Lord and his family most of all. His faith was the foundation of his life. He was the spiritual leader of his family and took seriously the responsibility of guiding those he loved toward God. His relationship with the Lord was evident in the way he lived, served, encouraged, and cared for others.
Jerry believed strongly in investing in people. He had a genuine interest in others and loved helping people grow, overcome challenges, and become the best versions of themselves. He was generous with his time, knowledge, wisdom, and experience. He had a gift for making connections with people and was always willing to share what he had learned throughout his life.
Sharing wisdom and stories was one of Jerry’s favorite pastimes. He could tell a story that made you laugh, think, or see something from a different perspective. His stories often carried a lesson, and his advice came from a lifetime of experience. For those who had the privilege of knowing him, his voice, his stories, and his words of wisdom will be deeply missed.
Jerry was also deeply committed to serving his church and community. He served on the boards of Open Door Recovery Ministry and Grace Tabernacle, and in earlier years he served in prison ministry and held leadership positions within his church. His own life was a powerful testimony to the transforming power of faith and perseverance. Jerry was 33 years sober, and that accomplishment became part of the testimony through which he encouraged and helped others. He understood that people sometimes need someone to believe in them, and he was willing to be that person.
Jerry and Marsha had been residents of Palm Coast since 1983. Over more than four decades in Palm Coast, Jerry became part of the community he loved and served.
Outside of work and ministry, Jerry enjoyed the things that brought him simple happiness. He loved to read and enjoyed hunting and fishing, particularly in earlier years. He loved watching sports, but his passion for Alabama football was in a league of its own. He was a dedicated Alabama fan and took great pride in cheering for his team.
Yet, as much as Jerry enjoyed his hobbies, his greatest joy was his family. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Marsha Smith Knight, and his sons, Jeffrey Knight and Clayton Knight (w/ wife Elizabeth) and his daughter Kathryn Reiter. He was blessed with 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and he treasured his role as a grandfather and great-grandfather.
He is also survived by his sister, Pamela Summerford, and his brothers, Rodney Knight and Joe Knight (w/ partner Katie) along with numerous extended family members, friends, and loved ones. Jerry was preceded in death by his Parents, Sarah Knight and James Knight, his son Erik Knight; his brother, Jimmy Knight; and his sister, Judith Gaston.
His legacy will live on in the family he loved so deeply, in the people he mentored, in the ministries he served, and in the many lives that were made better because he took the time to care.
For his family, there is comfort in knowing that the man who spent his life pointing others toward Christ is now in the presence of the Savior he loved.
His family will miss his stories.
They will miss his wisdom.
They will miss his laughter and his Alabama football commentary.
They will miss his guidance and his steady presence.
But most of all, they will miss simply having him here.
His earthly work is finished, but his legacy continues through every life he touched and every generation that carries his love forward.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
A visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. on September 25, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Palm Coast, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m.
Jerry’s graveside service, with full military honors, will be held on Wednesday September 30, 2026 in Ashford City Cemetery in Ashford, Alabama at 2:00 p.m., returning him to the community where his life began.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to Open Door Recovery Ministry in Jerry’s memory.
The family of Mr. Knight entrusted his arrangements to Clymer Funeral Home & Cremations.
