Julia A. Knox

Julia Arnetta Burgess Knox passed away on Monday, October 10, 2011 at Middleton Village Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.  Julia was born on January 26, 1937 in Martinsville, VA to Cornith and Beatrice Burgess.  Julia had five brothers and sisters, Bernice Potter, Lolita Denson, Cornith Burgess Jr., Philbert L. Burgess, and Keith A. Burgess (wife Mila and sons Bradford and Jordan) of Richmond, VA. Julia graduated from Albert Harris High School Martinsville, VA in 1955 and attended Bluefield State Teachers College in West Virginia from which she graduated in 1963 with a degree in Physical Education.  She received a Master’s degree in Physical Education from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana in 1974. On September 7, 1960 she married her college sweetheart, Clifton Knox.  She was a faithful and supportive wife for 51 years.  Julia and Cliff had three children; Tanya L. Smith (husband Fredrick) of Alpharetta, GA; Wendell A. Knox, and Winfred A. Knox (wife Dionne) of Merrillville, IN.  Julia was the proud grandmother of Clifton Smith, Jared Knox, Justin Knox, and great-grandson Landon Smith. Julia taught at every education level from elementary school to college courses, spanning several states including West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and finally Wisconsin where she retired in 2000 from the Madison Metropolitan School District.  She always said she loved each and every student and in the last days of her life expressed how she missed teaching.  Julia also loved to go fishing – joining her husband and extended family and friends on numerous trips to Canada and, closer to home, on the shores of Madison’s lakes. Julia found deep happiness and purpose when she began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1989 and symbolized her dedication to Jehovah God by baptism on January 6, 1990. Julia loved to share the treasures she learned from the bible and centered her life around worship of Jehovah. Julia was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Cornith Jr. and Philbert; her sisters, Bernice and Lolita; and by her son, Wendell. Visitation will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the South Madison Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 3082 Herman Rd. Fitchburg, WI.  A Memorial service will follow the visitation at 1:00 p.m.