Lucille Gladine Knox, 88, died September 2, 2021, at Sandstone Heights. She was born February 10, 1933, in Hiattville, to Nathan and Dorothy (Kalm) Crays.

Affectionately known as Lu, Mom, Grandma, Grandma-Great, Great-Great Grandma, and Aunt Lu, Lucille graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1950. There, she met her lifetime sweetheart, Gene Knox. They married quickly on April 14, 1951, as he was heading off to the Korean War. They shared almost 69 years of marriage before his death on March 19, 2020. She and Gene had three children: Ty Knox, Debbie Vagts, and Cindy Knox.

Lucille was a mom, homemaker, and managed the family printing business until her youngest child went to jr. high school. She then worked at the Hutchinson Clinic for over 15 years.

Lucille was a member of Faith United Methodist Church, Hutchinson, and later First United Methodist Church of Little River. She loved to volunteer, serving in Methodist Women, teaching Sunday school, being a Cub Scout den mother, Brownie leader, Girl Scout leader, and a room mother. Lucille was active in the League of Women Voters, Little River Domestic Arts Club, and an over 50-year member of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority.

Known for her optimism and kind heart, she was always focused on her family, going with Gene to sporting events, music programs, and anything else the kids were involved in.

Lucille is survived by: her children, Ty Knox and wife Brenda of Hutchinson, Debbie Vagts and husband David of Little River and Cindy Knox of Santa Fe, NM; grandchildren, David Vagts Jr. (Julie), JoEllen Wilson (Dave), Kristie Bowen (Clint), Keith Vagts (Tina), Brian Vagts (Kayla); great-grandchildren, Kyly Cannon (Steven), Jordon Vagts, Tristen Vagts, RJ Kendall, Casey Kincaid, Andrea Bagby, Baylor Bowen, Banks Bowen, Addison Vagts, Jaxon Vagts, Ethan Vagts, Aubri Vagts; great-great-grandchildren, Hadleigh Radenbaugh, Hayleigh Radenbaugh, and Hatcher Cannon.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; brother, James Crays; and sister-in-law, Paulette Crays.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at Elliott Mortuary. Friends may call from 12-5 p.m. Sunday, September 5, 2021, and the family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, September 6, 2021, at Elliott Mortuary.

The service will be Livestreamed and the link below will be active beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Click here to watch the service

Lucille will be laid to rest beside her husband in the Fort Scott National Cemetery, Fort Scott, at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 9, 2021.

Memorials are suggested to Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.