Sibie "Blanche" Ophelia Knapek was born in Bassfield, MS on September 27, 1925 and went to meet her Lord on January 20, 2019. She was the daughter of Frank S. McGee, Sr. and Timmie Ophelia Martin McGee. She took her first train ride to meet Alvin T “Shorty” Knapek in Alberta, Canada where they were wed on April 5, 1948. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, her mother and father, 3 brothers, Clyde, Frank Jr. and Walter, sisters, Birdie Jane, and Mary Lou Harris. She is survived by her sister Anne Kilgore, and daughters, Barbara Wickham of Midland, TX. and Patricia Baker of Artesia, NM. She was blessed with four loving grandchildren and their spouses, Sean L Kator, Mark Kator (Elizabeth) of Midland, TX, and Joanna Fletcher (Zach), and Pamela Ortega (Paul) of Artesia NM; fifteen great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
In her early adulthood, she worked at an optical factory making eye glass lenses and then later in seismic with her husband till they retired. She was well known for her delicious pecans which she grew on her property in Andrews, TX and cared for her gardens with love. She later became a hot shot driver for Ace Transportation and delivered oil field equipment and chemicals and even people across the US. She was a strong and adventurous woman who stayed active her entire life, even taking care of her home and trees till she was 90 years old before moving to Midland to live with her daughter. She traveled extensively during her life and was an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She joined Andrews Chapter 849 in January 1971, which consolidated with Friendship Chapter 1008 of Odessa in 2001 and remained an active member of that chapter till she passed. She was loved and cherished by many, and her smile and warmth will remain with those who loved her always. In remembrance, donations may be made to Friendship Chapter 1008, PO Box 4412, Odessa, Texas 79760. Please reference the check to the Sibie Knapek Memorial to be credited to the Scottish Rite Hospital, teaching computers project, or please donate in honor of her extraordinary life to a charity of your choice.
Visitation will be at Ellis Funeral Home of Midland on Sunday, January 27th from 6 to 8 pm and services will be held in the Ellis Chapel on Monday, January 28th at 1:00 pm with internment at Resthaven Memorial Gardens at 3:00pm. A reception will be held at the Midland Masonic Lodge & Historical Library, 1600 W Wall St., Midland, Texas following burial.
The family would like to thank the Midland Memorial ER staff and everyone for their thoughts and prayers.
