Jeanette Deanna Becker Knox, our much-loved mom, grandma, sister, and friend, died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, February 15, surrounded by family. She was 88 years old.
Jeanette was born on October 30, 1937, in Adrian, Michigan, to Florence and Claude Becker. On October 6, 1956, she married Donald A. Knox, Jr. Together they built a life rooted in love and family. They made their home in Sand Creek, where they raised their five children in the house that would remain her sanctuary for the rest of her life and a treasured place of memories for generations.
After her children were grown and in school, Jeanette returned to the workforce. She first worked for Madison Schools and later joined the Lenawee County Register of Deeds office. There, she advanced to become the elected Register of Deeds, serving faithfully until her retirement in 1996. That same year she was honored by the Michigan State Association of County Registers of Deeds for her outstanding and exceptional service. Even in retirement, she continued serving her community as a member of the Lenawee County Jury Board for 10 years.
Jeanette found deep purpose in her career. She thrived at work and built a wide network of colleagues and friends who relied on her knowledge, integrity, and resourcefulness. She was known for her ever-present smile, infectious laughter, and willingness to help. The relationships she built endured long after her working years.
If you knew Jeanette—Nettie—you knew her vibrant spirit. She was often the center of the room, the one you wanted to invite, the one you trusted. She never met a stranger. She approached life with practicality and unwavering confidence that doing the right thing would never steer her wrong. That principle guided her through life’s challenges and shaped the advice she and Don passed down to their children and grandchildren.
Her children were her proudest accomplishment. She never missed an opportunity to share a story about them. When grandchildren arrived, she embraced her role with joy and enthusiasm. Jeanette and Don were blessed with 13 grandchildren, and their holidays became wonderfully chaotic celebrations filled with laughter and noise—just the way she liked it. She was later blessed with 14 great-grandchildren. Jeanette lovingly hand-knit Christmas stockings for every child, spouse, grandchild, and great-grandchild—each one a lasting symbol of her devotion.
Lake Havasu City, Arizona, held a special chapter in Jeanette and Don’s story. When they purchased their condo there in 1999, they could not have known how deeply they would come to love the community and friendships they found. She delighted in welcoming family—whether two at a time or a dozen—and proudly showing off her home away from home. Some of her most cherished memories were spring break visits from her grandchildren.
Jeanette loved to travel. She and Don made family vacations a priority—summer trips to northern Michigan and Canada, even a memorable two-week adventure to Bar Harbor, Maine. As their family grew, annual trips to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, became a beloved tradition. She relished every beach day, even if the salt air and wind had other plans for her hair. She also loved exploring America’s National Parks, proudly making good use of her Golden Age Passport.
Music and dancing were woven into the fabric of her life. No matter what song was playing, she would shimmy in her chair or be the first on the dance floor. Though Don preferred to skip the fast songs, that never stopped her—she would happily grab another partner. Family members especially treasure memories of her dancing to “Proud Mary” with her brother Vic. She also loved cards and was always ready for a spirited game of Euchre or Hand-and-Foot. In recent months, she was delighted to discover that several of her great-grandchildren shared her love of cards, and she happily played as many rounds of Garbage as they requested.
If you ever watched her watch a Michigan State men’s basketball game, you understand the passion she brought to everything she loved. Jeanette lived fully and loved fiercely. Though we cannot imagine holidays without her laughter or seeing her dance again, we find comfort in knowing she is reunited with Don. We imagine she is raising a vodka tonic—three olives, please—in celebration.
Left to celebrate her life are her children Barbara (Kevin) Kennedy; James (Marcia) Knox; Lori (David) Thurman; Michael (Wendy) Knox; and Lisa (Kenneth Garrett) Knox; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; siblings Ronald (Maria) Becker; Victory (Judy) Becker; Winona (Roger Beaver) Nighswander; Deborah (Kevin) Wilson; Christine (Butch) Edgar; and Pamela Varney; sister-in-law Juanita Knox VanOpynen; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald A. Knox, Jr.; her parents, Florence and Claude Becker; infant sister Barbara Becker; brother-in-law Herman Van Opynen; and nephew Richard Van Opynen.
Cremation has already taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 7, at the Hills of Lenawee Golf Club, 4110 Country Club Rd, Adrian, Mich., from 3 – 8 p.m.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to all who have called, written, and visited to share stories. In her memory, please consider a donation to Hospice of Lenawee or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home, Adrian, where online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.
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