Shelly Goodnight

Shelly Goodnight, age 57, of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2025. Born on October 19, 1968, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, Shelly lived a life filled with love, kindness, humor, and unwavering devotion to her family, friends, and faith. Anyone who knew her felt her gentle spirit, her generous heart, and the joy she found in life's simplest moments. Shelly loved to talk, loved to laugh, and loved connecting with people.

Shelly drifted through life with a calm spirit and a joyful heart, unbothered by worry, untouched by gray, and marked only by the smile lines of a life well loved. Her days were guided by simple joys and the relationships she held closest.

After graduating from Vero Beach High School in 1989, Shelly built a life centered around the people and passions she cherished most. She enjoyed attending church, listening to music, bowling, reading, working on jigsaw puzzles, building Legos, and volunteering. She treasured afternoons spent by the pool and was happiest when surrounded by loved ones. Always eager to socialize, Shelly never turned down an invitation, whether it was a casual get-together, a family gathering, or a church event.

Wherever Shelly went, she carried warmth, humor, stories, and often a few new friends she met along the way. She had a tender heart for animals, especially her beloved cat Belle, who confidently ruled the home and graciously allowed Shelly to live there.

Shelly was a longtime member of Christ By The Sea United Methodist Church, where she found comfort, community, and a deep sense of belonging. Her church family uplifted her, and her faith remained a steady anchor throughout her life.

Shelly was preceded in death by her mother, Jill Goodnight and is survived by her longtime partner and love of her life, Larry Holder; her daughter, Ashley Wright; her father, Lloyd "Buzzy" Goodnight (Mary); her brother, Danny Goodnight (Erin); and her sisters, Kristi Challenor (Matthew), Angela Goodnight (Michael), and Alicia "Niki" Goodnight.

She was a devoted aunt to her cherished nieces and nephews; Demetric, Angelique, Bryce, Amelia, Charlie, Archie, Noah, Rashad, Legend, and Malcolm. Each of whom she adored and spoiled every chance she could. Recently, Shelly celebrated one of life's greatest blessings, becoming a grandmother to her first grandchild, Alaric, a role she embraced with pride, excitement, and a heart full of love.

Shelly's gentle spirit, her laughter, and her lighthearted way of moving through life will be deeply missed. Her joy, her smile, and the love she poured into the world will remain treasured forever by all who knew her.

A celebration of Shelly's life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to HALO No-Kill Rescue at 710 Jackson St., Sebastian, FL 32958. Because if Shelly had her way, every stray animal would've had a better wardrobe than we do.