Betty Jane Knecht

Betty Jane Greenwald Knecht, 96, went to her eternal rest on September 7, 2024 at her home, Laurel Haven, in Laurel, Maryland. Born March 1, 1928 in Elizabeth, NJ, Betty Jane knew the Lord Jesus from an early age. Daughter of Thomas Gilmore Greenwald and Emily Greenwald Byers, and sister of Sally Greenwald, she grew up in Union, NJ. Following her high school graduation, she attended nursing school at St. Luke's Hospital in New York City. She graduated from Maryville College, Maryville, TN in 1950.
It was at Maryville College where Betty Jane met her dear husband, Glen. Their marriage ceremony was broadcast on the live CBS television program, Bride and Groom. Following their wedding in New York, Betty Jane taught school in Pasadena, CA while Glen attended seminary. From there the couple embarked on a 72-year journey of service and devotion to the Lord and to each other. After serving at the Union Presbyterian Church in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, they answered the call to the mission field in Tabriz, Iran in 1958. Together, Betty Jane and Glen traversed the stormy Atlantic Ocean with their young children, Todd and Beth, in tow. During their five years in Iran, Betty Jane mastered two foreign languages, lovingly cared for her family and effectively supported the couple's ministry to the Iranian people and to U.S. government and medical personnel in Tabriz. They returned to the US again by boat, having added Wendy and Janet to the family.
Following their term as missionaries, the family spent the next eight years in Oxford Pennsylvania where Glen served as pastor of the Oxford Presbyterian Church, during which time son, Glen, Jr. and daughter, Amy, were born. Their next pastorate was at the Wallace Memorial Presbyterian Church, Hyattsville, Maryland, a stone's throw from the U.S. Capitol building, where Glen served as senior pastor from 1971 – 1983. From 1983-1997, Betty Jane and Glen served at the First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, South Carolina. In 1997 they returned to Maryland to help care for Janet and her son, Jamie. Janet was now severely impacted by Multiple Sclerosis. During this season they served at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, Maryland and then at Christ Reformed Evangelical Church in Annapolis, Maryland.
Betty Jane was a woman of strong faith, unflagging endurance and abounding hope. She was wise, generous, compassionate, hardworking, and faithful. She supported and loved her husband with all her heart; she courageously traveled to Iran with two small children and returned with four after 5 years; she championed Janet's life and health for many years, caring for her in the most pro-active way; she hosted more Sunday dinners and guests for supper than one can fathom. She found an 18th century home in the Adirondacks that had been nearly ruined and restored it with imagination and hard work. She envisioned and brought into being the "compound" in the heart of Laurel, MD where she and Glen and two of their 'daughters' families lived for many years. She was "Cost cutter BJ". She was "the Princess" and she was "Gagu" to her children and all who loved her.
Throughout their terms of service at seven different churches, Betty Jane was the embodiment of the virtuous woman portrayed in Proverbs 31. Recountings of God's provision were commonplace in the Knecht home. One favorite story is when the Knecht family, now with six children, gathered in the living room and asked the Lord for school shoes for the coming year. The day was not over when the owner of the local shoe store called and offered both school shoes AND tennis shoes for every child.
Betty Jane's most defining quality was her love for Jesus. This gift of faith carried her through every challenge of life and in to the courts of heaven where she is worshipping her Lord today. She is survived by her children, Todd R. Knecht (Jane), Elizabeth A. Myers (Tom), Wendy J. Higgins (Craig), Glen C. Knecht, Jr., (Beth), Amy K. Frierson (Frick), 17 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Glen C. Knecht, Sr., her parents, her sister and her daughter, Janet Lynn Dick (Jonathan).
Services will be held at 1:00 pm on September 14, 2024, at Good Hope Presbyterian Church, 12131 Scaggsville Rd., Fulton, MD, with reception to follow. Friends are also welcome to attend the visitation at Donaldson Funeral Home, P.A. 313 Talbott Ave, Laurel, MD on Friday, September 13, 2024 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion St. Columbia, SC 29201. Please indicate: "Medical Assistance, Support and Hardship Fund". You may also click HERE to donate.