Jackie Arlene Keith Knezek-Schumann

Jackie Arlene Keith Knezek-Schumann was born in Morales, Texas on March 31, 1942, to Oscar (Jack) Keith and Adell Carroll Keith. She entered her heavenly home on August 27, 2025, at the age of 83.
A lifelong resident of the Coastal Plains Region of Texas, Jackie graduated from Yoakum High School in 1960 as Salutatorian. She was active in volleyball and National Honor Society. As a gifted artist, Jackie created countless free-hand drawings and colored renderings for the Bow Wow newspaper and yearbook, as its Editor.
From very young ages, Jackie and her sister, Sue Burnette, were instrumental in maintaining the family farm in Yoakum. The Keith family strongly believed that "helping your neighbor" was a mandate, not just a theory. Abundant are the examples of the Keith family sacrificing time and resources to assist family, friends, and neighbors in need.
While a student at Yoakum High School, Jackie began dating Walter Knezek, Jr. She graduated with Honors from Baldwin Business College and was employed as Insurance Claims Representative for Hochheim Prairie Insurance Company before marrying Walter in January 1962.
During their marriage of over thirty years, Jackie and Walter became parents to Pamela Denice DeBord and Barry Keith Knezek. Moving to El Campo provided business opportunities, home ownership, and social connections. Jackie became very involved with the Young Homemakers Club and St. Philip's Catholic Church and School. She was a devoted wife, mother, community member, and friend to many. Jackie loved reading, baking, sewing, and gardening.
Jackie was instrumental to Walter's growing success in business and their move to Victoria in 1972, later starting K and K Construction Company, which built over 800 schools, banks, medical clinics, and business offices throughout Texas. Jackie became 4-H Leader in Gardening, Sewing, and Baking. She enjoyed monthly Bunco gatherings, traveling with Walter to Armco Building Conventions, and attending Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church.
Jackie was known for her kindness and her generous spirit. She spent numerous hours helping others through phone call, hospital visits, and cutting home-grown flowers to make floral arrangements.
She was the "Queen of Cards" known for selecting the perfect card or gift for every birthday, holiday, or occasion. Jackie provided generous financial support for countless people seeking resources for education, medical, and residential needs.
Jackie and Walter purchased sixteen acres of undeveloped property and the family worked tirelessly from 1974-1978 to build the homestead in Inez. Jackie worked to assist with cattle, game chickens, ornamental poultry, and pets.
Jackie took great pleasure in the simple beauties of life and called Inez, Texas home for forty-four years. Planting countless trees, flowers, and roses greatly improved the beauty and value of the homestead. She took great joy in feeding hummingbirds, deer, and numerous varieties of butterflies. She loved raising goldfish under the cattle guard and relished the joy that feeding the goldfish brought to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and visitors.
During this time, Jackie became property manager for thirty-four rental homes that she and Walter owned. She possessed creative talent and helped design, build, and decorate several coastal vacation homes.
It was the greatest joy of her life to become a grandmother to Pam and James' three children, Miranda Elizabeth, Katelyn Michelle, and Logan Christopher.
Jackie was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1989 and survived a life-threatening bone marrow transplant in 1991. She demonstrated incredible tenacity, strength, and grace throughout these arduous years of toxic treatments and uncertainty. Friends and family were the primary reasons she chose to fight through an unending journey of health challenges that persisted through her final days. Jackie once stated, "My primary reason to keep fighting cancer is to experience my grandchildren's lives and for them to know the person I am through adversity".
Jackie facilitated countless joyful family gatherings together, especially enjoying rousing games of Yahtzee, Boggle, and Chickenfoot Dominoes.
Endlessly dedicated to educating herself and those she loved, Jackie was a tireless reader and encouraged others to better themselves through life-long learning. She generously assisted many loved ones with financial support to facilitate formal education, travel, and dance lessons which brought tremendous joy and growth. Unable to pursue her own dream of becoming a drummer, Jackie selflessly supported Barry's musical pursuits beginning with middle school band.
Jackie became an active member of the Victoria Symphony League in 1990 and assisted with their fundraising efforts until 2020. Barry and Robert founded the Lone Star Wind Orchestra in 2006, and she regularly attended these concerts until 2020. Jackie was highly patriotic and specifically requested "Stars and Stripes Forever" be played at her memorial service.
Jackie met Bob Schumann, and they were married in December 2000. They enjoyed travel, time with friends and family, and rural life in Inez.
After Bob passed in January 2022, Jackie became unable to manage both her rapidly declining health and the responsibilities of maintaining the Inez homestead. The family, neighbors, and Home Instead caregivers assisted Jackie in remaining in her home until it became evident that her health and safety were in jeopardy.
In December of 2022, Jackie relocated to Iris Memory Care Center in Rowlett, Texas. While there, she received love and wonderful care from the Iris team. Only one mile from Barry and Robert's home, she enjoyed birthdays, holidays, and weekends at their lakeside home. During these last years, Jackie continued to enjoy family visits, Yahtzee, fried shrimp, home-cooked desserts, and walks in the flower garden. She especially enjoyed reminiscing with Sue, even enjoying the solar eclipse of 2024 together.
On August 25, 2025, Jackie lovingly touched Robert Clark and with her last words said, "Take care of yourself".
Jackie was proceeded in death by her parents, Oscar (Jack) Keith and Adell Keith, and spouse, Bob Schumann.
Jackie is survived by her sister, Sue Burnette of Brenham, Texas; son, Barry Keith Knezek, M.D. (and husband, Robert Clark) of Rowlett, Texas; daughter, Pam DeBord of Boerne, Texas.
Grandchildren are Miranda (and husband, Chris) Willette, P.A. of Boerne, Texas; Katelyn (and husband, Arindam Sarkar, M.D.) Sarkar, P.A. of Houston, Texas; and Logan DeBord, M.D. of Silverthorne and Denver, Colorado.
Great-grandchildren are Skylar and Collin Willette of Boerne, Texas and Ela Sarkar of Houston, Texas.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 3:30 pm at Rosewood Funeral Chapel, 3304 East Mockingbird Lane, Victoria, Texas 77904. Those attending may choose to wear red, as that was Jackie's favorite color.
Jackie's life created an impact and left an impression on all who knew her.
Her legacy of kindness and generosity will live on through her family and friends.

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