Jackie Knezek Schumann

A lifelong resident of the Coastal Plains Region of Texas, Jackie graduated from Yoakum High School in 1960 as Salutatorian. She was active in volleyball and the National Honor Society. As a gifted artist, Jackie created countless freehand drawings and colored renderings for the Bow Wow newspaper and yearbook as Editor.

From very young ages, Jackie and her sister, Sue Burnette, were instrumental in maintaining the family farm in Yoakum. The Keith Family believed strongly that “helping your neighbor” was a mandate, not just a theory. Abundant are the examples of the Keith Family sacrificing time and resources to assist family, friends, and neighbors in need.

While a student at Yoakum High School, Jackie began dating Walter Knezek Jr. She graduated with Honors from Baldwin Business College and was employed as an Insurance Claims Representative for Hochheim Prairie Insurance Company before marrying Walter in January 1962.

During their marriage of over thirty years, Jackie and Walter became parents to Pamela Denice DeBord and Barry Keith Knezek. Moving to El Campo provided business opportunities, home ownership, and social connections. Jackie became very involved with the Young Homemakers Club and St. Philip’s Catholic Church and School. She was a devoted wife, mother, community member, and friend to many. Jackie loved reading, baking, sewing, and gardening.

Jackie was instrumental to Walter’s growing success in business and their move to Victoria in 1972, later starting K and K Construction Company, which built over 800 schools, banks, medical clinics, and business offices throughout Texas. Jackie became a 4-H Club Leader in Gardening, Sewing, and Baking. She enjoyed monthly Bunco gatherings, traveling with Walter to Armco Building Conventions, and attending Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church.

Jackie was known for her kindness and her generous spirit. She spent numerous hours helping others through phone calls, hospital visits, and cutting home grown flowers to make floral arrangements.

She was “Queen of Greeting Cards,” known for selecting the perfect card or gift for every birthday, holiday, or occasion. Jackie provided generous financial support for countless people seeking resources for educational, medical, and residential needs.

Jackie and Walter purchased sixteen acres of undeveloped property and the family worked tirelessly from 1974-1978 to build the homestead in Inez. Jackie worked to assist with cattle, game chickens, ornamental poultry, and pets.

Jackie took great pleasure in the simple beauties of life and called Inez, Texas home for forty-four years. Planting countless trees, flowers, and roses greatly improved the beauty of the homestead. She took great joy in feeding hummingbirds, deer, and numerous varieties of butterflies. She loved raising goldfish under the cattle guard and relished the joy that feeding the goldfish brought to her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and visitors.

During this time, Jackie became the property manager for thirty-four rental homes that she and Walter owned. She possessed creative talent and helped design, build, and decorate several coastal vacation homes.

It was the greatest joy for Jackie to become a grandmother to Pam’s and James’ three children, Miranda Elizabeth, Katelyn Michelle, and Logan Christopher. She spent countless hours reading, cooking treats, playing games, assisting with school projects, attending band performances, dance recitals, and mentoring these grandchildren.

Jackie was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1989 and survived a life-threatening bone marrow transplant in 1991. She demonstrated incredible tenacity, strength, and grace throughout these arduous years of toxic treatments and uncertainty. Friends and family were the primary reasons she chose to fight through an unending journey of health challenges up until her final days. Jackie once stated, “My primary reason to keep fighting cancer is to experience my grandchildren’s lives and for them to know the person I am through adversity.”

Jackie facilitated countless joyful family gatherings together, especially enjoying rousing games of Yahtzee, Boggle, and Chickenfoot dominoes.

Endlessly dedicated to educating herself and those she loved, Jackie was a tireless reader and encouraged others to better themselves through lifelong learning. She generously assisted many loved ones with financial support to facilitate formal education, travel, and dance lessons, which brought tremendous joy and growth. Unable to pursue her own dream of becoming a drummer, Jackie selflessly supported Barry’s musical pursuits, beginning with middle school band.

Jackie became an active member of the Victoria Symphony League in 1990 and assisted in their fundraising efforts until 2020. Barry and Robert founded the Lone Star Wind Orchestra in 2006, and she regularly attended these concerts until 2020. Jackie was highly patriotic and specifically requested the John Phillip Sousa march, “Stars and Stripes Forever” to be played at her funeral.

Jackie met Bob Schumann, and they were married in December 2000. They enjoyed traveling, attending St. Joseph Catholic Church, spending time with friends and family, and experiencing rural life in Inez.

After Bob passed in January 2022, Jackie became unable to manage both her declining health and the responsibilities of maintaining the Inez homestead. The family, neighbors, and Home Instead caregivers assisted Jackie in trying to remain in her home until it became evident her health and safety were in jeopardy.

In December of 2022, Jackie relocated to Iris Memory Care Center in Rowlett, Texas. While there, she received love and wonderful care from the Iris team. Only one mile from Barry and Robert’s home, she enjoyed birthdays, holidays, and weekends at their lakeside home. During these last years, Jackie continued to enjoy family visits, Yahtzee, fried shrimp, home-cooked desserts, and walks in the flower garden. She especially enjoyed reminiscing with her sister Sue, even enjoying the solar eclipse of 2024 together.

On August 25, 2025, Jackie lovingly touched Robert Clark and with her last words said, “Take care of yourself”.

Jackie was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Adell Keith and spouse, Bob Schumann.

Jackie is survived by her sister, Sue Burnette of Brenham, TX; son, Barry Keith Knezek, M.D. (husband, Robert Clark) of Rowlett TX; daughter, Pam Knezek DeBord of Boerne, TX.

Grandchildren are Miranda (husband, Chris) Willette, P.A. of Boerne; Katelyn (husband, Arindam Sarkar, M.D.) Sarkar, P.A. of Houston; Logan (partner Jeff Locricchio) DeBord, M.D. of Denver, CO.

Great-grandchildren are Skylar and Collin Willette (Boerne) and Ela Sarkar (Houston).

Memorial service will be held Saturday October 18th, 2025, 3:30 pm at Rosewood Funeral Chapel, 3304 East Mockingbird Lane, Victoria, Texas 77904.

Jackie’s life created an impact and left an impression on all who knew her.

Her legacy of kindness and generosity will live on through her family and friends.

https://everloved.com/life-of/jackie-knezek-schumann/