Vicki Ann "Sugarbear" Knighton

There is one more angel in Heaven. There is one more star in the sky. Vicki, your love is felt forever. You have always lit up our lives.

At the age of 49, Vicki Ann Knighton, Mama’s Sugarbear, passed away April 25, 2024, surrounded by family after battling breast cancer for 11 years.

She was born seven weeks premature on January 5, 1975, a snowy winter day in Bountiful, Utah, to Ronald Lewis and Shirlee McArthur Knighton.  

Because of underdeveloped lungs, she was life-flighted to the University of Utah Hospital where she spent 21 days in ICU. When she was six months old, she moved to South Carolina to live while her parents were Mission Leaders. While there, it was discovered that she had severe physical and mental disabilities. Her life required full-time total care. Because of this, she developed an eternal bond with her “Mama.”

At three years old she moved to Centerville, Utah, where she attended Monte Vista Elementary School for students with disabilities. When she was 17 years old, she moved to the West Jordan Care Center where she attended and graduated from Jordan Valley School and Seminary. She was a beloved member of the Heritage 8^th Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Everyone who knew Vicki Ann loved her for her hugs, her laugh, and her mischievous spirit. She loved her family’s frequent visits bringing her favorites of popcorn, potato chips and pop. She especially loved to play with and tease her nieces and nephews bringing tears of laughter.

As her family, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to her additional family at the West Jordan Care Center, who have also loved and cared for her for 32 years.

Vicki Ann is survived by her parents, Ronald and Shirlee Knighton; her brothers, Lowell (Livia) Knighton and Gary (Amy) Knighton; and her sisters, Jill Bessey, Callee (Brian) Powell, and Amber (David) Hall.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, and her nephews, Tyler Jordan Knighton and Jeremy Jones.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in honor of Vicki Ann Knighton to Relife, the non-profit charity on behalf of the West Jordan Care Center. Mail to 3350 West 7800 South, West Jordan, Utah 84084 or donate online at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/6e77d2cc-9ffa-4a98-bf26-d8a8b8dd32c2 

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 4, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 950 N. Main Street, Centerville, Utah. A viewing will be held prior from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the church prior to services. 

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin 10-15 minutes prior to services and will be posted below.