Josie Knecht , age 91 of Abilene, Texas went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 3 ^rd , 2018 in Austin, Texas.

The Visitation will be Monday, July 9 ^th at 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Crofts-Crow Funeral Home in Johnson City, Texas.  Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 10 ^th at 3:00 PM at Crofts-Crow Funeral Home with her son-in-law Dwight Hunt of Peoria, Arizona officiating.

Josie was born in Rush Springs, Oklahoma to Joe and Ellen Bailey on May 6, 1927. She graduated from Rush Springs High School as salutatorian. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science degree in laboratory technology. She met her beloved husband at the University of Oklahoma. They were married on June 25, 1950 at the First Baptist Church in Chickasha, Oklahoma.

In 1950-51 she worked as a med tech at St. Anthony's Hospital. She devoted her life to being a wife and mother to her 3 children. She worked in various ministries in her church. At First Baptist Church of Abilene, Texas she helped organize and participated in a significant prayer ministry which spanned many years and is thriving today. She spent the last 2 years of her life living with her son, Steve Knecht and his wife Sandy in Johnson City.

Josie is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Don Knecht, her brothers Harold and Oran Bailey, her grandson Spencer Bonham Knecht and great grandson Isaac Preston Hunt.

Josie is survived by her children Stephen Knecht (Sandy), Karl Knecht, and Marilyn Hunt (Dwight), her grandchildren Morgan Knecht (Susanna), Klint Knecht and Darcy Medina (Alex), Susan Hunt, Jonathan Hunt (Kacie) and Valerie Goforth (Kade), and great grandchildren Noah Medina, Micah Goforth, Kadynce Hunt, Lydia Hunt, and Juliana Hunt.

For memorials, the family would appreciate a card with a favorite memory sent to Steve Knecht at 729 Clear Rock Ranch Rd., Johnson City, Texas 78636. Also her favorite missionaries are Joe and Noney Mita who serve in Japan through Baptist Mid-Missions, P.O. Box 308011, Cleveland, OH 44130-8011.  If you want to support them, send a check addressed to Baptist Mid-Missons designated to Joe and Noney Mita.