The invitation said to wear red, the favorite color of Vivian “Vicki” McKnight.
To celebrate her 106th birthday on March 9 at the Georgia War Veteran Nursing Home, McKnight donned a red dress, red-crocheted hat with “happy birthday” tiara accent and a long strand of pearls, arriving fashionably late for the gathering.
“She is an amazing lady,” said Victoria Burt, a close friend and caregiver who has known her for about 20 years.
One of only five women at the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home, McKnight served in the Navy’s Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) during World War II. She worked in communications and was stationed in California. Her official duty dates were May 30, 1943 to Nov. 20, 1945, and she received the World War II Victory Medal and American Area Campaign Medal for her service.
Burt answered questions for McKnight, who has lost her hearing. McKnight communicates using a small dry erase board.
Born in Omaha, Nebraska March 9, 1920, McKnight was the youngest of eight children.
She was married twice. Her second husband, who died around 1993, was in the Army. McKnight never had any children.
Burt said McKnight has always been “pretty independent.”
McKnight worked at University Hospital as an X-ray file clerk until she retired in 1985. She continued to volunteer at the hospital decades past retirement.
“I met her through volunteering at University in her 90s,” she said. “She would drive to work – that’s what she called it – two to three hours a day.”
When she could no longer drive, she’d pay someone to take her from St. John Towers to volunteer. As it became more difficult for her to get to the hospital, Burt would bring work to her.
The two developed a close friendship with Burt saying McKnight considered Burt to be like a daughter to her since she had no children of her own.
Although Burt knew a lot about McKnight’s life, she didn’t learn about McKnight’s military service until recently. McKnight has only been at the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home since Jan. 14.
Burt said McKnight has always lived an active lifestyle. She and her husband traveled extensively. After his death, she travelled with a group of friends for many years. She likes to do puzzles, play cards and crochet. She’s kept fit by riding a stationary bike. She never smoked and only had the occasional drink.
She’s recently found a new dominos buddy at Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home. Although he plays by different rules, Burt said McKnight has adapted and gets excited to play.
Burt was happy to see the festivities for her friend and a dining room full of guests..
“Last year when she turned 105, at St. John’s they wanted to do a party. She was adamant. She said ‘no no no,'” she said.
But this year, Burt put her foot down when McKnight protested.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards, is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award and was named Augusta Magazine’s best local writer in 2024 and 2025. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
