Belva Jean Knapp

Belva Jean (Walton)  Knapp was born in Carlsbad, New Mexico, to Everett and Mabel Walton on June 11, 1929. Jean grew up in Carlsbad and graduated from Carlsbad High School in May of 1947. She married her childhood sweetheart, George Wilson Knapp, on December 11, 1948. Wilson and Jean had 4 children, 8 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Mabel Walton, her half-brother, Doyle Jones, her husband, Wilson Knapp, and Brian Thom, her son-in-law.

Jean is survived by her children: Sherry Thom of Ft. Worth, TX, Dennis Knapp of Ft. Worth, TX,  Susie Driscoll of Lubbock, TX, and Sandy Schafer of Lubbock, TX.

Anyone who knew Jean Knapp knew of her passion for sacred music. She spent her life blessing others through her gift as a pianist and/or organist. She continued to play up to her 94th birthday.

Wilson and Jean lived in El Paso, TX, for 60 years. They moved to Lubbock in 2017, living at the Isle at Raider Ranch until their deaths.

Jean Knapp was fast-moving and energetic. She was stubborn, strong, and always striving for excellence in all she did. Jean had an under-spoken sense of humor that came out at the most unexpected times. She surrendered to God’s call on her life in her mid-thirties while living in Roswell, New Mexico, and for the remainder of her life, she sought after Him. She studied her Bible and encouraged others to come into a relationship with the Lord Jesus. Jean was a faithful member of several different Methodist churches, serving others in this setting through her music.  Jean was kind and tender-hearted.  She loved her family and was fiercely protective of them all.

Belva Jean Walton Knapp cared deeply for all the men and women, young and old, who cared for her during her time at Raider Ranch. Her family owes a debt of gratitude to Brandon Arnett and his entire team at Raider Ranch for caring for Jean, looking after her, keeping her safe, always treating her with dignity, but most of all for loving her.

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