Joseph V. Knox, 83, of Mooresville, died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007, at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center. Born on Feb. 2, 1924, in Mecklenburg County, he was the son of the late Ralph Brevard Knox and Annie Barkley Knox. A native of Davidson, Mr. Knox was married to Mary Elizabeth "Lib" Gudger. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Carson Knox, Russell Knox and Charles Knox; and two sisters, Gladys Heath and Lane Yorke. A devoted husband and father, he is survived by his wife of 66 years; two daughters, Carolyn Sigmon and husband, Lannie, and Judy Marsh and husband, Steve; a son, Van Knox Jr. and wife, Violet, all of Mooresville; six grandchildren, Todd Sigmon and wife, Christine, of Tyler, Texas, Marc Sigmon and wife, Aimee, of Charleston, S.C., Parker Marsh, Lauren Marsh, Jeff Knox, all of Charlotte, and Jason Hamilton of Havelock; six great-grandchildren, Audrey and Joseph Sigmon, Jonathan Sigmon, Jake and Paige Hamilton; two brothers, Eddie Knox and wife, Frances, of Denver, N.C., and Ray Knox and wife, Frances, of Davidson; three sisters-in-law, Patricia Knox of Davidson, Mary Parks Knox of Mooresville and Montye Knox of Charlotte; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Knox moved to Mooresville in 1942, where he began a 26 year career with Burlington Industries, Cascade Plant. In 1959, he was elected to the Mooresville Town Board of Commissioners, where he served for 10 years. He was the executive vice president of the Mooresville Chamber of Commerce from 1970 to 1978. In 1969, he was elected mayor of Mooresville, a position he held for an unprecedented 30 years. Upon his retirement as mayor, he was given the honorary title of Mayor Emeritus. His civic duties included past president and life member of the Mooresville Jaycees and past president and member of the Mooresville Rotary Club where he became a "Paul Harris Fellow" in 1999. He was very active in the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Knox served as a director on a number of boards including the Mooresville Public Library, Lowrance Hospital, South Iredell Industrial Development, the Mooresville ABC Board, Wachovia Bank, Lake Norman Regional Medical Center and the North Carolina League of Municipalities, where he served a term as president. He also served on several State Committees, including Governor Hunt's Committee to study the N.C. Highway Patrol and was appointed for a three-year term to the Governor's Crime Commission. Joe and his wife became members of the Mooresville A.R. Presbyterian Church in 1952. He faithfully served his church in many capacities including ruling elder, deacon, choir member, congregational chairman, and president of the Homer Brawley Men's Bible Class. He was honored with the designation of Elder Emeritus in 2001. Among his many awards is the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest award given by the state of North Carolina. Other awards include Mooresville's Citizen of the Year in 1977 and 1990, and the Jaycee's highest recognition, the Distinguished Service Award. A business man, Mr. Knox was a partner in Knox Realty from 1984 until he formed Joe Knox Properties, LLC in 2001. He retired from real estate in 2005. Joe will be remembered by many for his generosity and acts of kindness. The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Friday at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Mooresville A.R. Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Jerry Hallman and the Rev. Ed Wayland officiating. Burial will be immediately following the service at Glenwood Memorial Cemetery. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the doctors, staff and employees at LNRMC and to Hospice of Iredell County for their loving care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mooresville A.R. Presbyterian Church, 659 Carpenter Ave., Mooresville, NC 28115; Hospice of Iredell County, 150 Fairview Road, Suite 325, Mooresville, NC 28117; or the charity of the donor's choice. The family of Joe Knox is being served by Cavin-Cook Funeral Home.
Published in the Statesville Record & Landmark on 12/27/2007.