Shirley Knopf

Shirley Knopf, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away on March 25, 2025. She was born February 22, 1932, in Cisco, Texas to the late Hazel and Henry Morris. She was pre-deceased by her husband of 58 years, William (Bill) Knopf, her brother, Craig Morris, and her grandson, Eric Knopf (Kristen).

Shirley is survived by her 3 children, Karen Haynes (John), Cheri Fields (Bob) and Steve Knopf; 7 grandchildren - Amy Knopf, Brian Knopf (Shelley), Kristi Glasscock (Kevin), Kyle Sutphin (Mallory), Billy Sutphin (Jenna), Van Knopf and Sam Knopf; 9 great grandchildren - Naomi Knopf, Ramsey and Charlie Knopf, Bret Slack, Jameson Glasscock, Oliver and Maddox Sutphin, Ezra and Ophelia Knopf.

Being a Texas gal, Mom loved everything “western” especially the cowboy way of life and Indian culture - one room of her home, which could easily be thought of as a “cowboy and Indian room,” had many artifacts that she collected through the decades.

Known for her excellent homemade meals and desserts, her specialty, fried chicken, was legendary with its perfectly crisp “bark”, a term coined by grandson, Eric. Shirley was the only person I’ve ever known to keep a homemade piecrust in the freezer “just in case” she needed to whip up a pie or cobbler in a hurry. She loved reading, perusing bookstores, collecting antiques, glassware and vintage linens. And jewelry - she also loved her jewelry! Mom loved nice clothes, accessories, and looking perfectly put together; however, Mom was not fond of shopping, so how she managed to do that is still a mystery.

Her family and friends, those she had known for decades and those she met more recently, meant everything to Shirley - she was truly a gracious Southern lady who never met a stranger. Southerners generally love to socialize, and mom was no exception - getting together with her supper club gang, joining friends for lunch or getting together with her neighbors for their daily “wave” were all things she loved to do. Prior to her illness, Shirley, a graduate of Fern Creek High School, was still getting together for annual reunions with friends and classmates she had known for over 70 years.

The family would like to thank her Forest Springs Therapy “Dream Team” for their friendship, support, and unwavering optimism; the staff members at Forest Springs who loved, supported and cared for her (and us) during the last 2 ½ years; for family who visited “Aunt Shirley” without fail, and everyone else who visited and sent cards to cheer her up - they meant so much to her.

We request that if you wish to honor Mom’s memory, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the CJD Foundation, or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 10:00 am until the time of the funeral service at 12:00 pm at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions East Chapel (235 Juneau Drive Louisville, KY 40243) with burial to follow at Cave Hill Cemetery.

To share a memory of Shirley or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.