Marie Russell Knighton

Marie Russell Ward Knighton, age 100 died July 23rd, 2026. She was born February 17, 1926, in Springfield, Ohio. She was predeceased by almost everyone including her parents, A. Branch Russell and Lola Burchett Russell and two siblings Ruby and Ray. Her husband of 60 years, Hal Ward and then husband of four years Buddy Knighton. She is survived by her children Hal Ward (Lonnie), Holly Cooke (Wylie) and Richard Ward (Polly). In addition, she is survived by four granddaughters Emily, Annie, Haleigh and Georgia and one grandson Ward Kuykendall.

Marie attended Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH where she met her husband Hal who was in flight school to become a fighter pilot. She married Hal in 1946, and moved to his family home in Norfolk, Va. She met his best friend Buddy Knighton in 1946, and married him after Hal’s death in 2006. She was a resident of the area for 80 years.

She was a member of Christ and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Norfolk and Galilee Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach.

A family graveside service will be held at a later date.