Patricia Tucker Knox

Patricia Shaw Tucker Knox of Davidson,NC passed away peacefully June 20, 2011 at her home surrounded by her loving family. A service of celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at Davidson College Presbyterian Church at 2:00p.m., with Dr. Charles Raynal and Reverend Ed Wayland officiating. Friends are invited to attend a visitation service immediately following at the Congregation House. A private burial service will be held prior to the memorial service. Pat was born October 14, 1933 in Charlotte, NC to Sarah Stewart Tucker and James Jackson Tucker. She was in the first graduating class of East Mecklenburg High School in 1951 and then went on to graduate from Queens College in 1955. She married Russell B. Knox in 1956 and they moved to Clinton, SC where Russell attended Presbyterian College and Pat worked at Thornwell Orphanage. Following Russells graduation, they moved to Davidson where from 1958 to 1972 Pat worked for Davidson College; first in the Business Office and later for the Dean of the Faculty. In 1973, Pat opened Knox Realty in Davidson and was joined by Russell in 1976. Knox Realty was a leader in the real estate market in the North Mecklenburg/Lake Norman area and has remained a thriving business on Main Street for 37 years and was recently acquired by Allen Tate Realtors. From 1981 to 1990, Pat also owned and operated Davidson Dry Goods, a ladies clothing store also located on Main Street. Pat and Russell were leaders in the community. Russell served the Town of Davidson first as a commissioner and then for 14 years as Mayor and relied heavily on Pats vision and support during his service. Together they were instrumental in shaping and preserving the Main Street village of Davidson, bestowing their time, energy, and resources to the refurbishment of many of the historic buildings. Pat served the community, initially as a partner to Russell, and then individually by serving on many local boards and committees. Her service included the YMCA Board, the Ada Jenkins Board, Mint Museum Board, and Friends of the Arts. She was a past member of the Davidson Garden Club and served for several years as treasurer for the Davidson Horticultural Symposium. She was a member and Elder of Davidson College Presbyterian Church and was presented with an Honorary Life Membership of Presbyterian Women. Pat was truly a unique individual: loving, caring, generous, gracious, elegant and remained so even through her confrontation with cancer. She tackled her illness with a strength and courage that was an inspiration to all who knew her. She loved her family and was totally devoted to them. She had a deep and passionate love of art, music, literature and nature and spent many of her final days sitting in her cherished garden gazebo enjoying the gifts of Gods creation. Pat is survived by her four children, Russell Brevard Knox, Jr. (Danielle), Elizabeth (Beth) Stewart Knox Sullivan (Skip), Douglas Jackson Knox (Terilynne) and Michael Gregory Knox: nine grandchildren, Trey, Tyler, Tucker, Sarah, Raleigh, Luke, Emily, Joseph, August, and step-grandchildren, Jacob and Kamryn. She is also survived by her brother John Stanley Tucker of New York City, a large and close-knit extended family and special friend Dr. Charles E. Ratliff, Jr. formerly of Davidson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell Knox, her parents, Jack and Sarah Tucker, and by a younger brother, James J. Tucker II. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Lake Norman 705 Griffith street, Suite 203 Davidson, NC 28036 or Bethel Presbyterian Church, 19920 Bethel Church Road, Cornelius, NC 28031, or Davidson College Presbyterian Church,100 N Main St., Davidson, NC 28036 Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family. www.raymerfh.com