BillieLou Knapp (Prewett), age 97, passed away on Oct. 14, 2022. After living an exceptional life cut short by COVID-19 she passed peacefully in her son and daughter in law’s home with family by her side.
BillieLou was born in Weir, Kansas, to DollyLou Arbuckle Prewett and William Roy Prewett on June 9, 1925. She lived much of her childhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her aunt Lena and uncle Grover Prewett, whom she affectionately referred to as Mom and Pop.
During World War II, BillieLou was a sales associate for Zales Jewelers, Boy Scout leader in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and secretary for Bryan Adams High School in Dallas, Texas. She was a lifelong Presbyterian and upon returning to Oklahoma she was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, where she served as secretary.
BillieLou enjoyed keeping her grandchildren and involving them in her hobbies. BillieLou and husband Jesse enjoyed many hobbies together including dancing, ceramics, painting, boating, fishing and travel.
After losing Jesse, she made Mesa, Arizona her permanent residence. Her years in Mesa were spent cultivating new friendships, listening to live country music and teaching line dancing. She even performed line dancing during an Arizona Cardinal football halftime show. She even purchased a houseboat with her sister, Peggy Lindsey, where they enjoyed their time on a lake outside of Mesa.
At age 90, BillieLou returned to Oklahoma City to live near her son and family. BillieLou was a beautiful and strong woman who lived life on her own terms. She knew great love and had many, many friends.
She gave wisdom to her grandchildren through her example, her words, her letters and sometimes in her finger pointing. She taught them to not make problems where there are none and to love Jesus. She was a great wife, best mom, a best friend of a grandmother, a great grandmother, and most recently a great great grandmother.
She is predeceased by her parents, her husband of 43 years, Jesse Knapp, her sister Peggy Jean Lindsey and granddaughter Kari Knapp Evans. She is survived by her son Gary Knapp (Nancy), granddaughter Kelley Knapp (Barbara), grandson Kristopher Knapp (Alisa), great granddaughters Noah Knapp Brown (Alex), Kylie Knapp, Ronnie Norris (Tye), great, great granddaughter Blake Brown, and great, great grandsons Prynston Mayberry and Jace Norris.
Graveside Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022 at the Hosey Hill Cemetery in Weir, Kansas with Pastor Duane Elmore officiating. Family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg, Kansas, prior to graveside services. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Arrangements and services are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg.