Joan Denise Knichel

Joan Denise Knichel, affectionately known to many as “Nana,” 60, of Somerville, Tennessee, went to her heavenly home on Friday, October 18, 2024.

Born on November 21, 1963, in Memphis, Tennessee, Joanie was the beloved daughter of the late John and Mary Hartin. A 1982 graduate of Bartlett High School, she later married the love of her life, John Knichel, in 1999. For several decades, Joanie worked alongside her brother Richard and her sister Linda, sharing a career as plumbers and business owners.

As the youngest of nine siblings, Joanie naturally assumed the role of a surrogate mother to many of her nieces and nephews, a role she cherished. Her love and care extended even further as she helped care for their children. Joanie was the heart and soul of her family, known for her unwavering strength, loyalty, and dedication. She was the family’s rock—always ready to stand by their side, face their challenges, and offer comfort during difficult times. Her adventurous spirit was most evident in her love for travel and her cherished time at the family’s cabin, where she found peace and joy on the lake. Joanie’s presence was a steady anchor for all who knew her, and her boundless love for family and friends will never be forgotten.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Johnny of Somerville; her children, Kimberly Warfield (Chad) of Hernando, Kingston Lyons of Cordova, and Jeffrey Knichel of Horn Lake; her siblings, Linda Hartin and Richard Davis (Susan) of Somerville; nieces and nephews Mandy Vaughan, William Davis (Renee), Jonathan Davis (Melissa), David Pentecost (Anna), granddaughter, Parker Warfield; and numerous children whom she considered her grandchildren and helped raise: Jordyn and Peyton Vaughan, Madison Pentecost, Grace and Luke Pentecost, Ross and Bo Davis and Benjamin and Romain Davis.

In addition to her parents, Joanie was preceded in death by her sisters Patricia Mann, Mary Graves, Annette Carlisle, Martha Roy, her brother Wayne Davis, and her nephew Roy Pentecost.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Knichel were held at 3 P.M. Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Jonathan Wallace of Getwell Church in Southaven, Mississippi, officiating. Interment followed in the Fayette County Memorial Park Cemetery on Highway 64.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers were Donnie Knichel, Chad Warfield, Jonathan Davis, William Davis, David Pentecost and Julio Marquez. Honorary pallbearers were Steve Graves, Peyton Vaughan and Luke Pentecost.