Martha Jean Campbell Knichel, 89, left her earthly home in Southaven, Mississippi, for her forever home with Jesus on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, after a long illness.

 

Visitation will be from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM with a Celebration of Life Service immediately following at 12 PM (noon) at Providence Presbyterian Church, 7607 Getwell Road North, Southaven, on Thursday, February 5, 2026.  Reverend Jim McClanahan will be officiating, joined by Reverend Annette Ragsdale. All friends and family members are welcome to attend. A graveside service will follow at New Bethlehem Cemetery in Nesbit, MS.

 

Martha Jean was born on October 8, 1936, in Lucy, Tennessee, to Macon Douglas and Ruby Campbell. Alongside her three brothers—Macon, John, and Bill Campbell—her family owned and operated a small business, Campbell’s Grocery. Her family sold their store and moved to Batesville, Mississippi, when Martha was in the tenth grade, but they later returned to Memphis, where she graduated from Whitehaven High School in 1954.

 

Martha first met Billy Knichel in the fourth grade at Levi Elementary School. The two met again after Billy returned from the U.S. Army in 1954, when a blind date led to “a kiss on the cheek that

 

 sealed the deal.” They were married on April 22, 1955, and would have celebrated 71 years of marriage this year.

 

Martha’s greatest joy, outside of serving her Lord, was her family. Billy was the love of her life, and their love story has been an inspiration to many. Together, they raised four children: Sheryl (Arvin) Holland of Dickinson, Texas; Johnny  Knichel of Somerville, Tennessee; Donnie (Rosa) Knichel of Hernando, Mississippi; and Jimmy (Diane) Knichel of Oxford, Mississippi. They were blessed with nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.

 

Martha worked for the Bell Telephone Company before beginning a long career with Union Planters Bank, where she served as a head teller and loan officer and retired after twenty-five years of service. Following her retirement, Martha dedicated herself to serving the Presbytery of St. Andrew from 1998 until 2022. 

 

She served in numerous leadership roles within Presbyterian Women, including Moderator of the Coordinating Team; Missions Committee Member; Moderator and Administrative Board Member; Moderator of the Presbytery; Administration and Stewardship Committee Member; Nominations Committee Member; and Moderator of the Education, Worship, and Nurture Committee. In 2012, she also began serving in the Synod of Living Waters as the Ruling Elder Commissioner from St. Andrew and held various roles, including Moderator of the Synod of Living Waters and Commissioner from St. Andrew, until 2024. Billy was jokingly referred to as her "chauffeur" after he bought her a new car to drive her around the U.S. to serve the Presbyterian Women and the Synod of Living Waters.

 

Martha and Billy thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship found within the Presbyterian Women ministry. They hosted many PW ladies who traveled to the region for meetings and remained actively involved in their churches—Southaven Presbyterian Church and later Providence Presbyterian Church—where Martha played the organ and piano for over fifty years. She sang many solos and duets over the years and was a member of the Sweet Adelines International group in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

 

Martha loved cooking and baking, and one of her family’s favorite treats was her blue-ribbon carrot cake. She enjoyed hosting bridal and baby showers as well as luncheons in her home. Martha also painted oil paintings of flowers and landscapes and crocheted beautiful blankets, tablecloths, and artwork that she shared with family and friends. She loved fishing and traveling with Billy, and together they attended countless ball games, recitals, and school plays for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They were attentive, loving, and always eager to celebrate successes and cheer on those they loved.

 

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Douglas and Ruby Campbell; her brothers, Macon, John, and Bill Campbell; her daughter-in-law, Joanie Knichel; her grandson, Marlon Holland; and her great-granddaughter, Jade Dearborn.

 

Martha—affectionately known as Mama, Mama Jean, or Memmaw—leaves behind a lifetime of beautiful memories. She and Billy shared a love that was truly extraordinary.