Ann Martin Knight, 87, of Pensacola, FL, died peacefully at home surrounded by her children on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.

Ann's presence on this earth will be sorely missed, but everyone who knew her knows how much she has been looking forward to being reunited with Charles Hillard Knight - her husband of 53 years - who preceded her in death in 2005.

Ann met Charlie, a handsome Naval Cadet from Charlotte, NC, at the San Carlos Hotel. Charlie, a terrific dancer, swept Ann off her feet, and they married in 1952, shortly after her graduation from Catholic High.

Ann cared for their growing family as Charlie, a Navy helicopter pilot, was often deployed on lengthy cruises on aircraft carriers. She managed their moves when stationed in various cities across the U.S.

Ann's pride was being a mother of six daughters and a son: Judi Knight, Dorothy Adams, Edna Lora, Linda Knight, Mary Sweeney, Cindy McBride, Charles Knight, and his wife, Nikki. And she left a legacy of ten grandchildren: Sarah and Megan Sadd, Ashley Olson, Katie Delancey, Amanda and Michael Earley, Francisco and Alba Lora, Sean and Erin Sweeney, as well as nine great-granddaughters: Kaleigh, Taylor, and Lena Olson, Ansley Delancey, Samara Lora, Lily Knight, Amelia Rose and Alana Ricardo, and Clara Earley.

Ann always loved her hometown, Pensacola, especially the beach. She loved crabbing and would spend hours beachcombing looking for shells. At age 44, Ann quit smoking and started running. Not long after, she started competing in road races and triathlons.

Ann co-founded the Santa Rosa Island Triathlon, acting as its race director until she retired from the job at age 75. Her husband, Charlie, helped her organize the race; together, they were honored with a monument on Santa Rosa Island, commemorating their commitment to the race and the money they raised for projects on Santa Rosa Island.

Ann's family, friends, and community will miss her dearly.

Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Pratt Martin, Sr., and Dorothy Geary Martin, as well as her brother, Pratt Martin, Jr. She is survived by her brother, Geary Martin, and sister, Linda Campbell.

Visitation will be held 5-7pm Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 9:30am Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel with the Very Reverend Joseph P. Callipare, celebrant. Private family interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.

In place of flowers, memorials may be made to Covenant Care Hospice or the Basilica of St. Michael Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 12423, Pensacola, FL 32591.