Lake Charles, La – Shirley Ruth Peters McKnight, 77, transitioned from her earthly home at 7:40 am Thursday, December 14, 2017, in a local hospital.

A native of Lake Charles, La, she was born to Emile and Maud Peters, Sr.  She lived in Wheatley Heights, Long Island, New York for 38 years and was a foster mother to several children while residing in New York.  She later returned home (Lake Charles, La) in 2005.

Survivors include her five children; two daughters, Debbie Peters and Tricia McKnight both of Long Island, New York; three sons, Jan A. McKnight and Fredrick McKnight both of Long Island, New York and Elfair McKnight of Lake Charles, La; one grand-daughter whom she raised, Ieshia McKnight of Long Island, New York;

two brothers, Burnell Peters, and  John Peters four sisters, Maudrie Ross, Gloria Williams, Linda (Wilmer) Grice and Carolyn Peters; seventeen grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; her aunt, a host of other relatives and friends