Born to the late Everett and Dorothy Johnson, her life journey began on July 23rd, 1951. She graduated from Treadwell High School in 1969 where she was a part of the marching band and began her love for the musical arts. She also met the man she would soon marry, Robert Knopf. She attended Memphis State University and went on to earn a cosmetology degree. In addition, Beverly went on to study electrical engineering; where she began a career at Bodine Inc., as an electrical technician. She also worked as a restaurant bar manager at the Wimbledon Racquet Club.
Beverly was a gifted flutists, songwriter, and Southern Gospel Singer. She sang in several Gospel groups and later formed her own group, Serenity, featuring Beverly Knopf, Debby Owens Aulman, Julie Wyatt, and Evelyn Reppond. She recorded 2 tapes: one with Promise and the other with her group, Serenity. There was always singing in the Knopf household; in the car, or anywhere there was a tune playing. She had a gift for hearing parts and being able to jump in and sing any part that was needed. She passed that gift on to her daughters and enjoyed singing with them.
Mrs. Knopf related with animals more than people, but she loved both. She helped any animal or person that needed a place to stay or food to eat. She brought home turkeys, ducks, pigs, doves, snapping turtles, cats, dogs, horses, chickens, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, parakeets, cockatiels, conures, leopard geckos, crayfish, fish, robins, blue jays, and even a flying squirrel. She excelled in showing Tennessee Walking Horses, as well.
Her love for animals extended to dog breeding; Standard Poodles were her favorite, but she also bred other championship bloodlines and family friendly breeds such as Toy Poodles, Maltipoos, Doberman Pinchers, Old English Sheepdogs, Rat Terriers, and Great Danes.
She loved any place with a beach. As she gazed at the horizon, she felt peace and endless hope for the future; no matter what she faced. She enjoyed deep sea fishing, bowling, shopping, and singing on the radio with her daughter, Julie Wyatt, on a trip to Guam to see her other daughter, Michelle. She has also traveled to Cancun, Mexico, Chichén Itzá, Bahamas, Panama City Beach, Key West, Clearwater, Naples, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, Florida.
Beverly was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Everett Johnson.
She is survived by her brother, Terry Johnson (Benton, AR); husband, Robert Knopf; 2 daughters, Alicia Michelle Barker (Eric Barker, Victoria, MS) and Julie Ann Wyatt (Timothy Wyatt, Olive Branch, MS); 5 grandchildren, Stephanie Renee Sinclair, Megan Leeann Sinclair, Andrea Christine Sappington, Sarah Faith Wyatt, Jonathan Logan Wyatt; 2 great-grandchildren, Weylen Andrew Campbell and Ezra Alfonso Villalobos and another one on the way.
The visitation for Beverly will be held Friday, April 26, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133. The funeral service will begin Friday, April 26, 2024, at 2:00 PM with the graveside, then reception to follow.
