| Graduation Year | Class of 1953 |
| Date of Passing | Oct 13, 2012 |
| About | HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE, AR: Commander Karen E. Knox, 77, of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas passed away in Mercy Hospital on October 13, 2012 after a brief Illness. She was born March 30, 1935, from the union of Rana and Harley William Edwards in Zanesville, Ohio. Karen attended the Zanesville public schools where she graduated from high school in May 1953. After graduating from high school she attended Good Samaritan Nursing School and became a registered nurse in 1956, where she worked in that capacity for the next five years. She enlisted in the US Navy at Chelsea, Massachusetts as an officer January 25, 1961. Her tour of duties took her to Great Lakes Naval Base in North Chicago, Illinois, Balboa Navel Hospital in San Diego, California and to Guam. While in the Navy she attended the University of Colorado where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Masters Degree in nursing from the University of Washington. Karen retired from the Navy after twenty years of service on January 31, 1981. Karen met James T. Knox while stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base. They fell in love and were married in the Old North Church in Boston September 21, 1980 and made their home in Waukegan, Illinois where he was employed. Karen obtained her certification as a pre-school teacher and was employed at the Village Children Center in Lake Bluff, Illinois as a teacher/assistant director for eight years. Karen was a member of St. Paul A.M.E. Church while growing up in Zanesville, Ohio. After she and James got married they joined Trinity A.M.E. Church in Waukegan and were members until they moved to Hot Springs Village, December 1999. After moving to the Village, they became members of Presbyterian Kirk in the Pines. Karen is preceded in death by her parents; Rana and Harley Edwards; four brothers, Arlie, James, David and Billy Edwards; two sisters, Tina Edwards and Anne Harper. She is survived by her loving husband of thirty-two years James T. Knox; one sister, Sandra Edwards of Zanesville, Ohio; two goddaughters, Alexis Rogers of Houston, Texas and Crystal Thompson of Memphis, Tennessee; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. After moving to the Village, Karen was very active in the Kiwanis Club of Hot Springs Village where she served as the assistant secretary, participating in the mentoring program at Mountain Pine Elementary School, and was a volunteer at the Charitable Christian Medical Clinic. She was also active with the Presbyterian Womans Organization at the Kirk in the Pines. She was a strong believer in that you have to give your life away in order to find it. A memorial Service will be announced at a later date and will be held at Presbyterian Kirk in the Pines. |
