Georgia Marie Knesek was born on July 15, 1938, to Joseph and Annie Marie Vavra at their home in Birch.
Her childhood revolved around the family farm, picking cotton and enjoying sports and activities with her family and community.
She graduated from Somerville High School and married Julius Ernest Knesek on August 17, 1957, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Frenstat.
After Julius finished his degree, he and Georgia moved to Hobbs, to Claude and then to Edna.
They soon welcomed sons, Timothy, Anthony, Ricky and Randy.
They moved the family to Bogota, Columbia, and then to Athens, Greece.
While Julius taught school, Georgia raised the family, learned languages and began to paint. Many of her fondest memories are of these adventures overseas, and she was a prolific artist capturing countless experiences.
In the early 1970s, they returned from Europe and settled in El Campo.
Georgia became a vital part of the community and was involved in art clubs, gardening, education as a teacher and community service, including the Pilot Club. She was one of the key artists that painted the mural at the El Campo Chamber of Commerce and Museum.
During their time in El Campo, they welcomed a daughter, Nichole.
In 1996, they moved to Aruba where Georgia enjoyed hosting visitors, expanding her painting and soaking up the local culture.
They returned to Texas in 2000 and settled into retirement in the Frenstat community.
Over the past two decades, she has enjoyed gardening, being a caregiver and spending time with her family and the friends of her youth.
Georgia was also in charge of the Pastry Stand at the Holy Rosary Parish Bazaar and co-hostess of the Czech Seminarian BBQs which brought Czech deacons from Czechia to visit Frenstat.
She died peacefully at home on June 1, 2026.
She was preceded in death by her son, Anthony; brothers, Joseph Dominic (JD) and James S. Vavra; brother-in-law, Milton Mynar; sister-inlaw, Marion Knesek; and nephew, Kevin Knesek.
She is survived by her husband, Julius; children, Timothy and wife, Ok Chin, Ricky, Randy and Nichole and husband, Jerrell Ingalls; grandchildren, Jennifer, Nicholas, Jonah, Nathan and Evangeline; and great-granddaughter, Ellie. She is also survived by sister, Eleanora Mynar; brother, Lawrence Vavra and wife, Tina; sister-in-law, Janie Vavra; brother-inlaw, John Knesek; many cherished nieces and nephews, cousins, and other family members.
Her funeral services were held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Frenstat on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
Visitation began at 9 a.m., Rosary at 9:30 a.m., and Funeral Mass at 10 a.m., followed by lunch at the Holy Rosary Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers, consider donating in her memory to the Holy Rosary Cemetery Fund or the Boys Ranch by Cal Farley, an organization Georgia supported.
Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch 600 S.W. 11th Ave. Amarillo, Texas 791013228 Express condolences at Phillipsandluckey.com.