Jessie Knox

Jessie Lee Byram Knox was born in Avery, TX on May 15, 1929. She passed away in Brenham, TX on May 19, 2024 at the age of 95. A memorial service to celebrate Jessie's life is scheduled for Saturday, June 8th at 11 AM at the Vineyard Church of Brenham at 1401 S. Blue Bell Rd in Brenham, TX.

Jessie graduated from DeKalb High School in DeKalb, TX in 1947. She graduated from the Tyler Junior College School of Nursing in 1958. She worked as a nurse for almost a decade in Rusk and Smith Counties after graduation. She attended church at Rose Center Assembly of God in Tyler, TX where Rev. DD Lewis was pastor. Rev. Lewis was a sought out speaker for revival meetings around East Texas, and Jessie, who was a gifted singer and piano/accordion player, often sang for the meetings where he spoke.

In 1966, a widower by the name of Haynes Knox along with his pastor, Rev. OB Cook, attended a revival meeting at the Assembly of God in Payne Springs, TX where DD Lewis was speaking. The two pastors had conspired to introduce Haynes to Jessie after the service. After a brief courtship, Haynes and Jessie were married on July 9, 1967 and made their home in Malakoff, Texas for 40+ years where they attended the First Assembly of God there.

Jessie was a homemaker before returning to nursing in the late 1980's. She worked in home health into the early 2000's. She was also active in the church, serving as a piano and organ player for various church and nursing home services and community gatherings where she regularly sang specials well into her 70s.

In 2009 Jessie and Haynes moved to Conroe, TX to be near their son, Joel and his family. While in Conroe, they attended Conroe First Assembly of God and were actively involved there. In 2018, Jessie moved to Brenham, TX with Joel and his family, who had moved there to be pastor of the Vineyard Church.

Jessie will be remembered as one who always wanted to help those around her. She was generous to a fault, willing to give everything she had without thinking about herself. She was a force of nature and truly never met a stranger.

Jessie is preceded in death by her husband, Haynes Cecil Knox; parents George and Minnie Luella Byram; her sister, Rose Mayes; and her brothers William Byram and Charles Byram.

Jessie is survived by two sons, Ricky Knox and his wife, Diane of Mt Vernon, TX and Joel Knox and his wife, Danelle of Brenham, TX; And by her daughter, Vicki Smith and her husband CE of Waxahachie, TX.

Jessie is also survived by eight grandchildren, Johnny Knox and his wife, Margaret of Longview, TX; Rendy Barrett and her husband, Ray of Mt Pleasant, TX; Chris Smith and his wife, Amy of Spring, TX; Anitra Scott and her husband, Kyle of Waxahachie, TX; Jason Knox and his wife, Lani from Mt Vernon, TX; Chris Knox and his wife, Maggie of Dallas, TX; Jessica Kimes and her husband, Bradley of Sugarland, TX and Anna Knox of Missouri City, TX, twelve great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, financial contributions in memory of Jessie Knox be made to Assemblies of God World Missions in Springfield, MO.