Mary Frances Gray Knapp, of Manhattan, age 99, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at her home. She was born on March 10, 1920, in Wilton Arkansas.
Mrs. Knapp was preceded in death by her parents J. Arthur Gray, Sr. and Bertha Thompson Gray, infant twin daughters Jeanne and Jeanette, daughter Margaret "Margo" Knapp, brothers J. Arthur Gray, Jr. and Charles L. Gray Sr., a sister Louise Greene, and her husband of 55 years Marvin T. Knapp.
Mary is survived by daughters Mary (James) Knox and Marilyn (Robert) Yockey, eight grandchildren; Melinda Petruzziello, Richard (Kaila) Smirl, Andrew Smirl, Caryn (Wesley) Downing, Adam (Heather) Yockey, Laura (Alain) Rugamba, Caleb (Kaitlyn) Yockey, and Julie (Phillip) Fischer; eleven great-grandchildren; Rebekah, Daniel, Ethan, and Isabella Petruzziello, Ronin Smirl, Oliver Downing, Channing, Remington, and Magnolia Yockey, Gideon Fischer, and Blaise Rugamba. Also surviving are her brother Dr. Thomas Gray, Sr., a sister Bertha Gray Courtney, and numerous nieces and nephews whom she held dear.
Mrs. Knapp attended church all her life and thoroughly enjoyed being a member of Faith Baptist Church of Joliet. She was baptized at the age of 12 after receiving Jesus Christ as her Personal Savior. She loved Sunday school and taught a class for a few years. She helped many summers in Daily Vacation Bible School. Both home and foreign missions were very close to her heart. In 1941, Mary graduated from Henderson State Teacher's College and taught in both Arkansas and in Illinois. She kept her teacher's license renewed each year for both elementary and secondary education. She spent many years substitute teaching all over Will County. Mrs. Knapp was active in her community as a troop leader in Girl Scouts of America, was elected president of the PTA at Manhattan Grade School and was a 31 year member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. During that time, Mary served as a Chaplain for the dedication of the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.
Visitation and funeral service will be held at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, Manhattan. The family will receive guests on Friday, November 29, from 4-6:00 P.M. and on Saturday, November 30 from 10:00 A.M. until the time of Mary's funeral service which will take place at 11:00 A.M. Pastor Robert DeKlavon and Pastor Jay Fernlund will officiate the funeral service. Interment Manhattan Center Cemetery, Manhattan. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Love Alive International, 2410 Burgess School Rd., Cookeville, TN, 38506. You may also donate by visiting www.lovealiveinternational.com Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442, www.forsythegouldfh.com, 815-478-3321
