Barbara Roach Knox

Barbara (Roach) Knox, beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, went home to be with the Lord on January 2, 2016. She was born in Dallas on August 27, 1923, the only child of Vernon R. and Hattie (Joplin) Roach. She grew up in Rusk, Cherokee County, Texas. She played Bell Lyre in the Rusk High School Marching Band, and was on the debate honors team which won State meets several times.

Barbara met her husband, Dr. Warren G Knox, while they lived in Galveston. He attended medical school there and she worked for a plastic surgeon. They married in 1950 and came to Fort Worth, where they made their home and raised their two children. She was a talented pianist and played piano for the glee club and Polytechnic Baptist Church. She volunteered for the American Cancer Society for many years. She enjoyed singing in the church choir and with the Medi Larks, a choral group comprised of doctor’s wives.

One of Barbara’s greatest passions was genealogy. She was a Charter Member of Fort Worth Genealogical Society, which formed in 1957. She served many years on the board of directors in various capacities, including 17 years as editor of the society’s quarterly journal, and was co-compiler of two genealogy/history reference books published by the society: Old Northwest Texas - Historical - Statistical - Biographical - Navarro County, 1846-1860; and Pioneers Rest Cemetery, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas; published in 1980 and 2001, respectively. She was presented with Honorary Life Membership in 1998, the Society’s highest honor. Not only remaining a member until her death, she was the longest serving Charter Member.

In addition to what she published though the genealogical society, she authored three books about her own family: Amos Persons; Robert Hodge, etal; and Robert Hodge Sr., of Livingston County, Kentucky. She was simply following in her mother’s footsteps who had also written several genealogy books.

Barbara was predeceased by both of her parents and her husband. Her survivors include two daughters: Kathryn Jones (husband Elliotte) and Debra Halden (husband Ric); two granddaughters, Jennifer Kelley (husband Adam) and Sarah Alexander (husband Casey); and one great-grandson, Sean Alexander. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her family and friends.

Memorial service to be held on Friday, January 8, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. at Grace Covenant Church, 3402 W Interstate 20, Arlington, TX 76017.