Luvena Knapp Stuart, July 16

KNAPP, SECOY, FROST, RATLIFF, MARLOW, HARVEY, BENNETT, BINNS, AND DEO

Posted By: Mary Giles (email)
Date: 3/14/2005 at 09:37:16

Luvena Burl Knapp 104, of Stuart passed away on Friday July 16,2004 at Community Care Center in Stuart.

Luvena Burl Secoy was born to Amos Augustus and Julia Ann [Frost] Secoy on Oct.18,1899 in Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio.

At the urging of some cousins who had moved to Iowa previously, Amos and Julia brought their family, Effie, Orris and Little Burl 2 years old, to Guthrie County, where a cousin Columbus Simmons, had located. Burl grew up loving her childhood with school, neighborhood parties and dancing. Her older brother provided her transportation and supervision while she was young. She always enjoyed her family, friends and church. Burl was a member of the Stuart Friends Church, the Friends Missionary Society and the Stuart Chapter of the American Legion Auxilary since it began.

After WW 1, she married Thomas Raymond Ratliff to whom 2 children were born. Thomas was deceased in 1923. In 1931 she married John Edwin Knapp. To this union 3 children were born. As a grandmother she was the best. Burl enjoyed babysitting, travel, was an excellent seamstress, taught Sunday School and loved parties.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband's John in 1941; Thomas in 1923; son Warren E. Ratliff in 1968; brother Orris Secoy and a sister Effie Marlow.

She leaves to celebrate her life her son John E.Knapp Jr. and wife Karla of Ankeny; 3 daughters Helen Harvey husband Wm. of Bettendorf; LuVena Bennett and husband Howard of Redfield; and Rose Binns-Deo and husband Derwyn of Greenfield; 19 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Monday July 19, at Stuart Friends Church with Rev.Dean Porter officiating. Karla Leffler sang "One Day At A Time", Rev.Dean Porter sang "The Lighthouse",Dan and Angela Nelson sang "Just Inside The Eastern Gate" and the congregation sang "How Great Thou Art". Lyle Peasley provided the piano accompaniment.

Serving as casket bearers were her grandsons Vern, and William Harvey, Howard, Tony and Tim Bennett and Randall Binns.

Honorary bearers were Tom Bennett, John Wayne and David Knapp.

The committal service and interment were at South Oak Grove Cemetery in Stuart.

Professional arrangements were provided by Ruppert Funeral Home of Stuart.