Mary Jo Salter

Having been born in 1925, Mary Jo Knox is a member of what is known as the greatest generation. Our Mom was born on April 7th of that year, to Tom and Lizzie Henderson Knox of Wayside, Texas. Tom died when Mary Jo was only four years old and older siblings had to help raise the two youngest of ten children. They were called “those stubborn Knox girls”. Raised during the Great Depression, they learned to live well with very little. Because of the times, there was ingrained in them, a fierce determination to not only survive, but to thrive. They relied on the Lord with faith, on their ability to make good lives for themselves and their families and on the close knit bond between each other. At the end of the day, one hopes to make a difference in the world. She and her generation…have.

Mary Jo graduated from Happy High School and later moved to Amarillo, where she met a handsome airman stationed at Amarillo Air Force Base. They were married for 68 years and stopped counting when Dad relocated to Heaven. Mom passed into the arms of a loving, redeeming Jesus on January 14, 2022.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 19, 2022 from 5 PM to 7 PM at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 10 AM at Memorial Park Funeral Home with burial in Memorial Park Cemetery to follow. Arrangements are under the care of Memorial Park Funeral Home.

While Dad traveled thousands of miles on his BMW, Mom traveled over thousands of miles of thread and yarn, sewing and knitting innumerable garments for each of us. That was her passion. She always said she got so tired of cooking, but nobody could beat her fried chicken, potato salad and cherry pies. Family get-togethers were filled with food, fun and laughter. She leaves us with a legacy of great generosity, hands that willingly worked hard, a gentle strength and a sweet sense of humor. She made friends everywhere she went in her various jobs outside of the home after all the children left. She was known by many names…Mary to her sisters, Jo by most, Granny, Granny Jo Bob, Princess Granny…Mom. She goes to join her parents in heaven, along with her three brothers, six sisters and Dad. Surviving her is a dear niece and confidante, Billie Jean Gore of San Jon, N.M., and numerous loved ones in Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Massachusetts and Florida. And her children; Donna and Gene Dougherty of Amarillo, Robin and Chip Polk of Ransom Canyon, Kim and Ray Winsor of Eagle, Colorado, and Scott and Kim Salter of Amarillo. Her grandchildren; Jordan and Cassie Polk, Jency and Thomas Anciso, Mallori and Aaron Brown, Raymond and Kristina Winsor, Brier and Mike L’Esperance, Darci and TJ Stuchlik, Matthew and Maddie Winsor, Jake and Traci Dougherty, Ashley Winsor and Payne Salter. Her great grandchildren; Nixon, Phoenix, Pixie and Ivy Knox Polk, Orynn and Madoc Knox Anciso, Jaxon and Owen Brown, Jessie and Ty Winsor, Elly L’Esperance, Sadie Mae and Maddie Jo Dougherty.

We don’t want to let her go, but we cannot make her stay. We will go forward because she would expect us to. We hold fast to the promises made by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. John 11:25-26, 14:1-3. For love is stronger than death, an ocean of tears will not overwhelm us and our great grief is testament to the great love and void she leaves behind. The veil is thin however, and the promise is eternal.

Memorials may be made to Gideons International, Ragtown Gospel Theater or a charity of your choice.