Thomas County Georgia Obits - Mrs. J. F. Knapp, Sr. 1945 File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Winnette Bass Stinson ******************************************************************************* 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