Thomas County Georgia Obits - Mrs. J. F. Knapp, Sr. 1945
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Winnette Bass Stinson <gnw@rose.net>
*******************************************************************************
USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the
Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this
message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced
in any format for profit or other presentation. The submitter has given permission
to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for FREE access.
*******************************************************************************
Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/thomas.htm
Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm
Tribute to Mrs. J. F. Knapp, Sr.
***Photo can be located at this address:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/thomas/photos/mjfknapp.jpg
"Death is but a path that must be trod if man would ever pass to God".
On May 7, 1945, Mrs. J. F. Knapp departed this life to dwell with the Master
eternal.
Mrs. Knapp was born in Thomasville on July 17, 1868, the daughter of John P.
and Frances Ann Arnold. As a girl she attended the private schools of
Thomasville, after which she became a student at Young's Female College in this
city. On January 10, 1895, she was married to Joseph F. Knapp in a wedding
that proved to be ideal in happiness and christian influence.
Mrs. Knapp was a woman of unusual culture and literary ability. She was a poet
of outstanding ability and many of her poems have appeared in the public press
and religious papers.
While Mrs. Knapp was interested in all phases of religious work, the helpless
children of the Georgia Baptist Orphan's Home at Hapeville, Ga., seemed to be
her special concern. For several years Mrs. Knapp was a Trustee of the
Children's home, and surely no trustee was ever more zealous in caring for the
welfare of those hundreds of parentless children than was Mrs. Knapp.
It can be truly said of Mrs. Knapp that she was the mother of New
Shiloh W. M. S., she being one of the original organizers some 25 or 30 years
ago. She was at different, intervals president and personal service chairman
of the Thomas County W. M. S.. She gave of her time and aid to the negro
W.M. S. She and her husband also organized and conducted a Sunday school in their
own home.
Mrs. Knapp was a kind considerate wife, and devoted mother and a good loving neighbor.
Hers was a useful life spent in the service ofher master from whom we may be sure
she has received the welcome words " Well done, thou good and faithful servant,
enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
May we, by her example, strive to accept the high calling to efficiency and faithfulness
in service to others that her life gave and endeavored to transmit the same to future
generations. "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only." Undaunted by difficulties
and disappointments, she went forward with winsome manners seeking the advance of
Christ's Kingdom. Her code of living was uncompromising, her conduct unblamable and her
character untarnished. Her in this community we will miss her inspiring
fellowship but her influence will continue to live and bring forth good.
The following is one of her own compostions:
"In the far away Land of after a while Whence daily our feet are wending
We'll clasp glad hands, we'll meet again In the world that has no ending."
" So, sleep on, dear one, and take your rest. No pain now racks your fair brows.
Thy spirit has gone to realms above, though you sleep "neath the roses now."
So rest, sweetly rest no more disturbed by earth's hurried turmoil and strife;
In death you have roses heaped upon you, For you gave them all through your life.
We say " Good-Bye to Mrs. Knapp, but not forevermore. The call but summons to yon
farther shore and when we too, embark, it is not for the dark of unknown seas but
for the welcome meeting with loved ones gone before who wait greeting, living in
hope and faith we fear not death." Tis but the gate of life.
Therefore be it resolved;
1. That we cannot fill her vacant place, but we can follow and attempt to imitate
her most beautiful life.
2. That we extend to her loved ones our heartfelt sympathy in their hour of
loneliness and sorrow.
3. That a copy of this resolution be recorded on the minutes of the church and
a copy be sent to the Christian Index.
Respectfully submitted,
Mrs. Edrie Redfern
Mrs. R. L. Clark
Mrs. H. Y. Quarterman
Notes:
Mrs. Edrie Refern nee Edrie Mims
Mrs. R(obert) L. Clark nee Wessie Mims
Mrs. H(enry) Y. Quarterman nee Annie Thompson
Mrs. Knapp was my neighbor when I was a small child. She was a kind and dear person
who loved all of the children in our neighborhood. She also, wrote the words to
my favorite hymn, Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine (Fanny J. Crosby wrote the music)
This Tribute is from my Mother's scrap book.
Winnette Bass Stinson