1931-2023
Mary Winifred Shaw Knox was born on July 1, 1931 in Woodsboro, a small town in South Texas, near Refugio. She was the youngest of seven children (Isabel, Strauch, Henry, Beata, Martha, Ruth and Mary) born to Winifred Strauch and Charles Henry Shaw and had German, Swiss and Irish ancestors, including two families that came directly to Texas at the time of the 1848 revolution. One of her ancestors, A.E. Manuel, fought at the Battle of San Jacinto. Another, Moses Simpson, fought in the Mexican War. Her great grandmother Sarah Thomas was kidnapped as a girl by Indians and returned unharmed in an exchange. Mary grew up enjoying horseback riding and swimming. The Strauch family believed strongly in education, including for women, and Mary would help carry on that tradition all her life. Mary and her sisters Beata, Martha and Ruth all graduated with numerous distinctions from the College of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Mary in 1952. Mary landed a job as a flight attendant for American Airlines in Dallas.
That took her all across the country and into Mexico. In 1954, she married James A. Knox, a East Texan graduate of SMU Law School. He had helmed a submarine in the Pacific. The wedding was in Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church, a landmark in Refugio that Mary’s grandfather, George Strauch, built in 1901. Soon, Jim and Mary were raising two children, Jimmy (1957) and Chris (1960). Mary taught in the Richardson Independent School District, including a special education class, while Jim progressed through several positions as a young lawyer before becoming a partner at a Dallas firm later known as Vial Hamilton Koch & Knox. For decades Mary often attended conferences and social events with Jim and they made many dear friends across the country. In the mid-sixties, Mary went to SMU, earning a Masters degree in Education. Her focus was teaching undergraduates how to teach children to read. She steadfastly believed in the importance of phonics. In the 1970s, while still active in education such as by heading the PTA at Richardson High School, Mary became ever more involved in other community activities and organizations, such as the Northwood Hills Women’s Club. She moved into politics as well, serving as vice-chairman of the Dallas County Republican Party, campaigning for Kay Bailey Hutchison, raising funds for Congressman Jim Collins and much more.
She also began pursuing an interest in interior design and furniture. At Dallas Market Center, she learned the trade. Then, she and Joanne Goodfellow founded Knox-Goodfellow Interiors, at Preston and Cambpell in far North Dallas. The store did well. In the late 80s, she and Jim built a home on Lake Texoma. They engaged in many good causes and made many friends. For instance, Mary joined the Advisory Board of Grayson County College, led a project to revitalize the Pottsboro Public Library, assisted the Pottsboro ISD, boosted the International Women’s Club and co-founded the Boot Scootin Ball, a fundraiser for Preston Volunteer Emergency Services. Mary had a gift for making things happen, an incredible determination and persistence, coupled with patient and careful listening and kindness. She brought grace, elegance and sophistication to the scene, tempered by sincerity and an aversion to pretense and snootiness. Grayson County welcomed her. She felt that strongly and in return helped many good causes succeed here.
Mary’s husband, Jim, passed away in 2014. Mary passed away on April 16, 2023 in Denison, Texas, of natural causes. She is survived by her sister Martha, two children, their wives, four grandchildren, nine nephews and nieces and their children. On Jim’s side of the family, she is survived by her sister-in-law, Betty, six nephews and nieces and their children. She will be dearly remembered and prayed for with love and affection. May she rest in God’s eternal grace and peace. In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted to a memorial scholarship to be founded for local students showing literary promise. Condolences may be registered online at www. fisherfh.com
