Judy Airs Kneece, 80, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 9, 2024 at Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia, S.C. She was born in Goldsboro, N.C. on November 8, 1943 to the late Lee Airs and Betsy Parks Airs.

She was a graduate of Eau Claire High School in 1962. Judy worked at a couple of clothing stores on Columbia's Main Street before working for the telephone company and a local radio station. She married the late Edgar Salter Kneece in 1969. She got a job with USC's athletic dept. as a secretary in order to support herself and her husband while he attended USC Law School. In 1973, they moved to Lake Murray and started a family. She would later work for the YWCA of Columbia and Richland County Family Court. For over thirty years, she worked with her husband helping him with his Law practice. She gave her life to her family and loved living at Lake Murray, being on the lake, and was a good water and slalom skier. She loved Wrightsville Beach where she lived as a little girl, the beach in general, seashells, growing Japanese maple trees and amaryllis flowers, Riverbanks Zoo, Biltmore Estate, the Carolina Inn at Pinehurst, N.C., sailboats, Frankie Valli, the neighborhood deer and birds, animals, sewing, cooking, ice cream, chicken, her homemade spanakopita, Cokes, and Springer Spaniels. She dearly loved her mother and grandmothers as well as her husband's side of the family. It is no coincidence that Judy passed on her daughter's birthday on August 9. All Divine love was made whole on this day, and Judy served as a beautiful vessel of peace while delivering the purest of love and serenity to her two children. A love that only a mother could provide. Rebirth! Her children will miss her immensely for the rest of their lives. She was the perfect mother. Her family is proud of her strength and courage and will love her forever!
She was the oldest of five children and was predeceased by her brother, Michael Airs and husband, Edgar Kneece. She is survived by her children Bryan Edgar Kneece (Amy) and Marjorie Parks Kneece, brothers David and Hughie Higbe, sister Betsy Edgerton, sister-in-law Patricia Kneece, and her beloved Springer Spaniel, Jack.

A private service will take place to celebrate Judy's life. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Columbia. To honor Judy, please donate to English Springer Rescue America, and go plant a Japanese Maple and some beautiful flowers.