Valeria J. Knighton

Valeria (Val) Jeanne Knighton was born on March 31, 1955, in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Gessler and Margaret Safford.  Val transitioned to eternal life on March 6, 2026, at 12:45 AM surrounded by a loving family.  At an early age, Valeria decided to make Jesus her choice and was baptized at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church.

Val’s educational journey included North Division High School, and Carol College.  During those formative years she developed a lifelong passion for African Dance through her numerous performances with Ko-Thi Dance Company.  She was thrilled to dance with alumni members during their 55th anniversary celebration in 2025. 

Val also had a great love for travel, which took her from Milwaukee to the Bay Area where she met and later married then Lieutenant Junior Grade Ronnie (Ron) Knighton, Sr on April 2, 1988 in Milwaukee Wisconsin. The newlyweds began their journey stationed in Panama, followed by South Carolina and Illinois, where together they nurtured a family grounded in love and faith.  Their union resulted in Nichole and Kristopher adding to the extended family of Ronnie Jr and his wife Melissa Knighton.

Valeria joined DuPage AME Church in November 2015 and immediately looked for ways to serve.  She participated in the Sanctuary Choir, the Women’s Day Choir, the Sarah Allen Women’s Missionary Society, the Class Leader Council and eagerly volunteered to be a Greeter which was one of the duties she most looked forward to doing. The heart she poured into DuPage was preceded by the talents she lent as a member of Second Baptist Church in Evanston, IL, Jack and Jill of America Inc., and National Hook-up of Black Women, Inc.

Val spent most of her professional life working for the Social Security Administration from which she retired as an Assistant District Manager in 2020.  She truly enjoyed helping others and saw her work as more of a ministry than employment.   In retirement Valeria once again got the urge to travel, and travel she did.  Dallas, Barcelona, Sedona, Dubai, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Seattle and Minneapolis were just a few of the excursions since December 2020 which is when she began her health journey. Truly a life well lived…she did not waste one minute.

One of Val’s greatest joys was hosting Thanksgiving dinner.  The house was always full of love, fun, food, laughter and a few Packer fans.  She did her best to make sure everyone felt welcomed and included in all the activities of the day.  This annual gathering left a lasting impression on all those who were able to attend.

Awaiting her in eternal rest are her father and mother Gessler and Margaret (née Brown) Safford, her eldest brother Donnell Safford Sr., along with dearly beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

She is lovingly remembered and cherished by her husband, Ron Knighton Sr; children, Ronnie Knighton Jr (Melissa), Nichole Knighton, and Kristopher Knighton; her grandchildren, Malaya Knighton, Alyssa Knighton, and Akeem Knighton; siblings, Opal Armstead (née Safford), Marilynn Pearson (née Safford) (David), Myrl Gilbert (née Safford) (Commie), Carl Safford, and Jennifer Safford widow of Donnell Safford Sr; 13 nieces and nephews, Jean Nate Thomas (née Armstead) (Stanley), June Armstead, Marna Armstead, LaTonya Thomas (née Safford) (Barry), Donnell Safford Jr. (Julie), Damia Safford, Tasha Mallett (née Jenkins) (Terence), Julius “Jay” Jenkins, Todd Safford, Tyrone Gilbert (Tionna), Dorian Gilbert (Ann), Tiffany Mitchell (née Gilbert), and Gaibrelle Safford; 23 great nieces and nephews, Nicolas, Aleja, Justin T., Joshua T., Donnie, Max, Kayla, Aliyah, Genesis, Nandi, Nala, Justin J., Joshua J., Kyle, Raven, Jeremiah, Tatiana, Desriana, Sanaa, Amelia, Imari, Nasir, and Aniyah; a host of cousins near and far, special friends turned family, and people that loved her throughout her life. 

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