Mary Emma Knapp

Mary Emma brought light, love and an extra touch of class with just the right dose of sass to all she did. Born and raised in Hondo, TX, she was the sixth of 11 children born to Emma T. Rothe and John M. Finger. Her many stories of growing up in this rambunctious and fun-loving clan included happy visits to the Rothe Ranch in nearby D’Hanis, card games and spontaneous dance parties persisting into the wee hours, and the multiple loaves of bread her mother daily baked to feed not just the family, but extended family, friends and neighbors who were always welcome.

Mary Emma was a graduate of the now-named University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, where she majored in music. In later years, she added her striking soprano to the Noted Offutaires, a popular officer’s wives’ choral group at Offutt AFB, in Nebraska.

The quintessential Air Force wife, Mary Emma served side-by-side with her husband, Jim, for his 37-year career, including the early years at home alone with two small children while he fought in WWII, and making base quarters into home in places as far-flung as Goose Bay, Labrador; Torrejon, Spain, and Seoul, South Korea. When not busy with the many duties of a general’s wife, she could be found passionately competing (and usually wining) on the golf course or at the bridge table.

Mary Emma and Jim were stationed at Offutt AFB from 1957 to 1963 and 1964 to 1969. He retired in 1972, and they built a home in Fontenelle Hills where they lived until 1996, at which time they moved to San Antonio.

She is predeceased by her parents and 10 siblings, husband Gale Eugene Ellis (deceased 1938) and husband and life partner of 56 years Maj Gen James B. Knapp. Mary Emma will be interred with Jim at Ft. Sam Houston, TX, on July 8.

She is survived by 1 great-great grandchild, 20 great grandchildren, 14 grandchildren, 2 sons-in-law, 1 daughter-in-law, and her beloved children: Gail Greene of San Antonio; Meta Fouts of Batavia, OH; Mary Beth Susman of Denver, CO; Barbara Mason of Carbondale, CO; and J. Barclay Knapp, Jr., of Newton, PA.

She is celebrated for a life well-lived and well-loved.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, July 8th, 2016 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas starting at 9:00 a.m. There will be a Mmorial Mass at the Army Residence Community Chapel beginning at 11:00 a.m., followed by a reception.

Please sign the guestbook at www.colonialuniversal.com