Marlene Brown Knapp

Marlene Brown Knapp, 92, of Amarillo, Texas, passed away on July 6, 2024, in Amarillo. She was born on February 22, 1932, in Stratford, Texas.

Marlene was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. 

She attended West Texas Teachers College in Canyon, Texas. She also attended Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Oklahoma. Marlene worked as a secretary at Phillips Petroleum Company in Borger, Texas and legal offices in Pampa, Texas, and Guymon, Oklahoma. Joe and Marlene ran Joe Knapp Automotive in Amarillo, TX for several years. She also worked with Joe on the farm in Panhandle, Texas.

Marlene was a member of the Paramount Baptist Church. She enjoyed family gatherings, cooking and canning for her loved ones, and even crocheting edges on baby blankets. She enjoyed music and dancing. She was a member of the Senior Swingers line dancing group in Amarillo. She enjoyed listening to the Bill Gaither trio and watching those videos till they were worn out. Marlene had a thirst for knowledge and remained an avid reader until the last few weeks of her life. She even dabbled in writing her own romance novel. She attended classes with renowned author Jodi Thomas at WTSU. She never quite finished the novel. She took pleasure in fishing, camping in the mountains of Colorado and lakes in Oklahoma and Texas, and enjoyed several games on her iPad.

On July 14, 1949, Marlene married the love of her life, Joe Wayne Knapp, in Vega, Texas. They eloped on a date and their parents did not know for 6 months when someone congratulated Harold Knapp on his son getting married. 

Marlene leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories. She is preceded in death by her husband, Joe Wayne Knapp; her mother, Lorene West Brown; her father, James Alexander Brown; her brother and sister-in-law, Buster and Ruth Brown; her brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Nell Brown; and her brother, J.T. Brown.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jay and Mickie Knapp of Amarillo, Texas; her son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Peggy Knapp of Amarillo, Texas; her daughter, Kim McAtee of Parker, Colorado; her grandson and wife, Davy and Cassy Knapp of Amarillo, Texas; her grandson and wife, Andy and Amy Knapp of Frisco, Texas; her grandson and wife, Nick and Jennie Knapp of Amarillo, Texas; her granddaughter and husband, Becky and Kenneth McColl of Amarillo, Texas; her grandson and wife, Josh and Cerise Knapp of Amarillo, Texas; her grandson, Jacob McAtee of Parker, Colorado; her granddaughter and husband, Elizabeth and Andy Parker of Parker, Colorado; her grandson, Cole Knapp of Amarillo, Texas; and her great-grandchildren, Jackson, William, Katie, Hannah, Mary Caroline, Jane, Carter, Hattie, Shepherd, Grayton, all of Amarillo, Texas and Bennett of Parker, Colorado.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M., Monday, July 8, 2024, at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, 2800 Paramount Blvd., Amarillo, Texas. 

The funeral service for Marlene Brown Knapp will be held at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 9, 2024, in the Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel, with Lance Herrington officiating. Marlene will be laid to rest at the Panhandle Cemetery in Panhandle, Texas immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made to the American Cancer Society in Marlene's honor.