Frances Ophelia

Knox

Frances Ophelia Acker Knox, age 83, passed away in her Toledo home on June 27th, 2025.

Born to parents John P. Acker and Geneva (Williams) Acker on August 16, 1941, in Anderson, South Carolina; she was the fifth of nine children.

Following graduation from Carolina High School in South Carolina, Frances and sister Clara moved north to Toledo and joined their older sisters Helen, Loraine and Reba. She worked at A&P grocery store as a cashier until landing her career changing opportunity as a bank teller, then bank manager at Toledo Trust Bank in downtown Toledo. There she met and later married John Knox and from their union, Ahmad Rashad was born. After 20 years of banking, Frances retired and began her next journey as a scheduler with Enterprise ABC Health Care on Monroe Street.

The Acker Family was raised to love and praise GOD. Upon arriving to Toledo, Frances joined her family at Third Baptist Church where she sang with her sister Clara but eventually moved to St Ann's Church on Bancroft Street. She spoke to GOD daily. In fact, a few days before she died, Frances remarked, "…you have to forgive. How can I ask GOD to forgive me if I cannot forgive others?"

Frances helped raise her younger siblings, John, Nelson, Bernice and James even as she was starting her young life. She brought joy and happiness to whomever she came into contact. She had the gift of gab and always made everyone comfortable to share.

Frances is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters (Helen/Louis Starr), (Reba/Lewis McCullough), (Clara Acker); her brothers (Nelson and James Acker); her children (Darryl Acker and Ahmad Rashad Knox). Left behind to mourn her death are her son (Leonard/Ella Acker), step-children (Nancy & John Jr.),many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; John Knox ; sisters (Loraine Acker Tarrent and Bernice Acker Taylor) her brother (John Acker); her beloved dog (Romeo) and host of nieces, nephews, and friends.