Dr. Betty Jean Emmett Knox

Dr. Betty Jean Emmett Knox, died on Tuesday, December 6, 2020. She resided in Raleigh, NC since July 1967. She was born on February 9, 1934 in Gastonia, NC. She is predeceased by her parents, James Wilson and Laura Marie Fowler Emmett, her sister Mae Emmett Ferguson and her husband, John Jackson Knox, Jr. Dr. Knox, a dedicated Christian, was an ordained deacon; Sunday School teacher; Sunday School Director; chancel choir soloist; member of the Church Council; Building Committee Chairperson; Stewardship Committee Chairperson; served on the Personnel and other committees. Community volunteer roles included the United Way Board and Pines of Carolina Girl Scout Council. She served multiple terms on the Board of Trustees and the Alumni Association Board of Gardner-Webb University. Dr. Knox was a founding director of the American Counseling Association Foundation Inc. She graduated with honors from Gastonia High School, Gastonia, NC and from Appalachian State University where she was awarded a bachelor’s degree cum laude and a master’s degree. She received her doctoral degree from North Carolina State University and did postdoctoral studies at Harvard University. Dr. Knox was a National Certified Counselor. Her professional career included teaching and counseling positions in public high schools in North Carolina and Florida; administrative and teaching positions in colleges and universities in North Carolina; and counseling roles with educations institutions, the U.S. Dept. of Education, business and industry. She was a highly respected leader national and internationally in education and counseling. Her colleagues elected Dr. Knox to top leadership positions; President of the American Counseling Association, the American School Counselor Association, the North Carolina Counseling Association and the North Carolina School Counselor Association. Dr. Knox was the recipient of numerous honors and awards. She was listed in biographical publications: Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who in the South and Southwest, Who’s Who in American Education and Who’s Who in America. She wrote professionally and published in the leading counseling journals and newsletters. Her memberships included the four professional associations cited above as well as the American Association of University Women, and Delta Kappa Gamma. Dr. Knox was the recipient of numerous awards and honors including that of American Counseling Association Fellow in recognition of significant and unique contributions in professional practice, scientific achievement, governance, teaching and training. Dr. Knox is survived by her daughter, Joy Lynne Knox Fairchild. A private graveside committal will be conducted at Gaston Memorial Park in Gastonia, NC. At the request of Dr. Knox no other services will be conducted. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are appreciated and may be made to the “John Jackson Knox, Jr. Endowed Memorial Academic Scholarship Fund” at Lenoir-Rhyne University, Development Office, Hickory, NC 28601.