Sabra Jane Knape

September 11, 1946 – May 6, 2025

Sabra Jane Knape was born on September 11, 1946, to Clifford Stanley Knape and Anne Ramsey Knape in Waco, Texas. She passed away peacefully in Tyler, Texas, on May 6, 2025.

Sabra’s life was a remarkable journey of faith, learning, and service. From her earliest days in Waco, she was known for her insatiable curiosity and deep sense of purpose-a child who would rather spend an afternoon with a book than anywhere else. That love of knowledge shaped her path, leading her from the halls of The University of Texas at Austin, where she majored in Plan II Philosophy, to the storied classrooms of the University of Heidelberg in Germany, and then on to the vibrant intellectual life of The New School in New York City.

Her academic pursuits were matched only by her devotion to her faith. Sabra was a Christian in the truest sense, living her beliefs daily with humility and grace. Those who knew her often remarked that few could match her knowledge of the Bible or her commitment to living its teachings.

After returning to Texas, Sabra’s journey took her to Baylor for a biology degree and then to UT Medical School at Galveston. Though she was accepted, she ultimately chose a different calling, earning a Master of Theology from Harvard/Andover-Newton and a Master of Social Work from UT Arlington. Returning to Texas, she obtained degrees in Spanish and Education and received her Texas Certification as a bilingual teacher. Her career was as varied as her studies: she worked in hospitals, taught elementary school in Tyler, and later served as a counselor in the Texas Prison System in Palestine. Each role was approached with the same compassion and intellect that defined her life.

Perhaps the most adventurous chapter was her time as a missionary and Hebrew scholar. Sabra joined Wycliffe Missionaries and traveled to Equatorial Guinea, where she worked on Biblical translation for the Fang people. After two years in Africa, she moved to Jerusalem, Israel, spending five years deepening her Hebrew studies-a testament to her relentless pursuit of understanding and service.

Sabra’s devotion to family was unwavering. She is survived by her sister, Mildred Witte and husband Doug of Tyler; her brother, Carl Knape of Austin; nieces Emily Horton and her husband Jason of Tyler, Monica Saunders and her husband Jeff of Grapevine, and Madeline Johnston and her husband Dale of Parker; nephews Nathan Witte and Kevin Witte of Tyler, and Gareth Witte and his wife Morgan of Austin; and great-nieces and great-nephews Hannah Stewart and her husband Caleb, Megan Glass, Sydney Saunders, Nora Witte, Grant Saunders, Brice Saunders, Corbin Glass, Dylan Glass, and Holden Witte. She is also remembered by her cherished dogs, Itsy and Little Man, who brought her great joy and accompanied her on many happy trips to the dog park.

Those who gathered at Sabra’s table-whether for a family meal or a spirited discussion-will remember her laughter, her thoughtful questions, and the way she made everyone feel welcome. Her life was a tapestry of faith, intellect, and love, woven together by her desire to serve others and seek truth.

Sabra’s family invites those who knew her to remember not just the facts of her remarkable life, but the spirit with which she lived it: ever curious, ever compassionate, and always guided by faith.

Visitation is from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by a graveside service at 11:00 a.m., both at the Rose Hill Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel on Monday, May 12.