Emma "Deedle" (Knapp) Garnett

Emma (“Deedle”) D’Albini Knapp Garnett died peacefully in her sleep in Fort Worth on October 28, 2016. She was born on April 7, 1937 to Charlotte Belsey Knapp and Marcial A. C. Knapp in Comfort, Texas. Emma graduated from Lamar High School in Houston in 1955 and continued her education at Sacred Heart Dominican College in Houston where she studied nursing. On June 14, 1958, she married John Sullivan Garnett at St. Vincent de Paul’s Catholic Church in Houston. Emma and John began their married lives in Houston and also lived in Austin before finally settling in Brenham in 1961. There, Emma and John raised four children.

One of Emma's passions in life was the Brenham Fortnightly Club where she served as president, first vice-president, second-vice president, chairman of the home decorating contest, chairman of the fine arts department and as a member of its board of directors. She also served on the State Board of the Federation of Women’s Club where she served as co-chair of the Hallmark division. The Brenham Fortnightly Club honored her as its Woman of the Year.

Emma was a lifelong supporter of the arts and served as the area representative for the Opera of Performing Arts and was a guild charter member of the Texas A&M University OPAS which is a service organization dedicated to bringing performing arts to the students of Texas A&M University. She was also a co-founder of the Brenham Community Theater and Brenham Chorale. In addition, Emma was a member of the Brenham Art Club and was appointed to the building committee. Her artwork won numerous ribbons at the county fair and area art shows. She served as a Trustee of Herman Sons Sister Lodge #11, was involved in the Washington County Historical Society, Barrington Historical Society, Shufflers Dance Club, and the Wednesday Bowling league. She served on the Brenham Library board of directors and as vice president of the Brenham PTO. In recognition of Emma’s endless volunteer hours to make Brenham a better place, she was named Woman of the year in 1975 by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.

Emma was an avid supporter of Brenham school activities and did not miss any of her children’s activities. She participated in and directed numerous plays including several Junior and Senior plays at Brenham High School. She was an enthusiastic supporter of the Brenham Maifest and looked forward to the parade every year.

Tennis was Emma’s passion. She was a member of the Brenham Tennis Association and a director of the Brenham/Bellville Youth Tennis Tourney. She will be remembered by many students that she mentored in the game of tennis. In addition to playing tennis, she served as an umpire and a line judge for collegiate tennis matches at Texas A&M. Emma was a Little League umpire, coached softball teams and served as a Cub Scout leader.

She was a member of St Mary’s Catholic Church and taught several years in the CCD program. She also helped establish the CCD program at Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Old Washington and was instrumental in the renovation of the church building.

Emma yearned to earn a college degree and, at the age of 60, she enrolled in Texas A&M University, where she planned to major in studio art. When she learned that the University did not offer a studio art degree, she moved to the Theater Arts department. She found acting with younger students to be quite rewarding and she starred in several student run plays on campus. In the year 2000, she graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in performing arts. In 2005, she earned a second bachelor’s degree in English from Texas A&M.

Two college degrees were not enough, so after a brief stint at Prairie View A&M, she enrolled in Sam Houston State University to pursue her passion in studio art. In 2010, at the age of 70, she earned her third college degree. She was honored by Sam Houston University as their oldest graduate. Her skill as an artist was rewarded when Sam Houston State hosted two art exhibits at the Lowman Student Art Gallery to show off her works of art, including a series of paintings on the history of Greek theater inspired by her fine arts classes at Texas A&M. She was thrilled to participate in a local exhibition of her works at Design II in Brenham.

She is survived by her children, Joe and Ann Garnett of Houston; Libby and James Reue of Coppell; Katie and Dan Kolkhorst of Houston; and Matt and Rachael Garnett of Fort Worth; grandchildren Dickson, Pearson, Sully and Taylor Garnett; Chris and Adrianne Reue, Errinne and Clay Horton; Carolyn and Eric Draper; John Kolkhorst and Zoe Kolkhorst; Haleigh and Josh Bramer; Emily and Colton Maxwell; Jake, Micah and Gabriel Garnett; great-grandchildren Brenna and Coleson Horton; Emerson, Camden and Dillon Reue; Madelin, Juliette, Eloise and Isaac Bramer; sister-in-law Patti Wray of New Braunfels; sister-in-law Debbie Knapp of Angleton; and sister-in-law Penny Garnett of Austin. Her family wishes to thank the many caregivers, nurses, and doctors who cared for Emma through her final illness.

Emma was preceded in death by her husband, John, her parents and her brother Marcial Knapp.

Visitation with the family will take place at Brenham Memorial Chapel at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 4, 2016, followed by a rosary at 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Parish Activity Center on South Park St., Brenham, due to construction in the church sanctuary. There will be a graveside service immediately after the funeral mass at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, also known as Calvary Cemetery, adjacent to the Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham. A reception will follow the graveside service at the St. Mary’s PAC. Pallbearers include her grandsons Chris Reue, John Kolkhorst, Jake Garnett, Dickson Garnett, Pearson Garnett, Micah Garnett and Gabriel Garnett.

The family requests that donations be made to Texas A&M University – Liberal Arts Development Council at 4223 TAMU Coke Building 301, College Station, Texas 77843 or to the charity of your choice.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 Tributes may be shared at www.BrenhamMemorialChapel.com.