Janice Ruth Knox of Haslett, MI passed away April 3, 2019 in Dimondale, MI of complications from Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born January 1, 1929 in Milan, MI, youngest child of John Arthur and Caroline Helen (Lawrence) Geddis. She attended Roosevelt School in Ypsilanti, MI, Eastern Michigan University and the University of Michigan where she received a degree in elementary education. She taught in Hastings, MI, Ann Arbor, MI, Rawsonville, MI, Smyrna, GA, Williamston, MI, at Lansing Christian School, MI and Haslett Public Schools, retiring from Wilkshire Elementary in Haslett, having taught kindergarten for many years.
Janice married Thomas Ray Knox of Marietta, GA, on April 11,1954 in Ypsilanti, MI. Their love spanned 65 years and together they were an anchor for their family.
In 1961, Janice was the first woman elected to the Haslett Public Schools school board. She taught hundreds of children from kindergarten through fourth grade. She was a respected leader in the Haslett Public Schools and a champion for students. She was instrumental in developing the Log Cabin curriculum for the Haslett schools. She volunteered throughout her life as a Sunday school teacher, leader of Christian education, Bible study leader and choir director in the churches she attended. Janice is remembered by her family for her abiding faith and her love of music. She passed on her passion for education and a strong work ethic to her children and grandchildren.
In retirement she served as a docent with the Meridian Historic Village, leading area school children in period lessons in the old schoolhouse. She and her husband Tom made beautiful brooms on an antique broom machine, demonstrating their craft at steam engine and threshing shows. They also enjoyed sharing their love of historic crafts by teaching others how to make brooms.
She is survived by her loving husband Thomas Ray Knox, daughters Jennifer (Robert) Davis, Rebecca (Timothy) Gillette and Rachel Knox (Barry Maddox), grandchildren Audrey Chamberlain, Hilary Eyres, Aaron Chamberlain, Emily Mann, Arza Chamberlain, Nathaniel Knox, Daniel Knox, Jonathan Knox, Anna Gillette, Kristen Gillette, Matthew Maddox, eighteen great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Mildred Bates, nephews James Brasseur, Dennis Clark, Rob Geddis and nieces Patricia Anderson and Carolyn Geddis.
She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings Barbara Brasseur, Marcia Clark and Robert Geddis, son Davin Thomas (1962) and daughter Trina Carol (2012).
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 8, 10:30 am at Crossroads United Methodist Church, Williamston.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimers Association, http://act.alz.org/goto/JaniceKnox, the Meridian Historical Village, https://www.meridianhistoricalvillage.org/donate.html or
PO Box 155, Okemos, MI 48805 or Foundation for Haslett Schools, PO Box 615, Haslett, MI 48840
Arrangements are being handled by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes Mason Chapel.
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