Jamie Gelber

Jamie Marquetta Posey Gelber Knutson, 74, of The Woodlands, Texas, and formerly of California.

Born in Athens, Alabama, Jamie was the daughter of the late Harold Calvin Posey and Reba Jane Whitt Posey. A graduate of S.R. Butler High School in Huntsville, Alabama, Class of 1970, Jamie left Alabama shortly after graduation, determined to pursue horizons beyond her Southern roots.

A “responsible rebel” and natural-born leader, she made her way to Los Angeles, California, where her adult life began to unfold.

While living in Los Angeles, Jamie met Bruce Gelber, her first husband and the father of her beloved daughter, Jessica. California is where she built a family and a distinguished legal career.

In 1988, Jamie earned her Juris Doctorate from Whittier College School of Law, graduating Cum Laude. While in law school, she was named to the Dean’s List, received a Dean’s Merit Scholarship, won the American Jurisprudence Award for Legal Research and Writing, was recognized among Outstanding Young Women in America, became a life member of Who’s Who in America, and received the Soroptimist International TAPS Award.

Admitted to the California State Bar in 1988, Jamie began her career as appointed counsel in criminal defense before being appointed to represent minors in Family Law matters.

She also served as Judge Pro Tem in Kern County Superior Court.

In 1992, she opened her own law practice in Lake Isabella, California, as sole practitioner emphasizing Family Law. In 2005, she became managing partner of Gelber & Anderson, LLP, with offices in Lake Isabella and Ridgecrest.

In 1989, Jamie married Orby “Skip” Knutson. She became a stepmother to Chip Knutson, with whom she shared a close and meaningful bond. Together, Jamie and Skip first made their home in Palm Springs before eventually settling in Kern County, California. They shared 28 years of marriage until Skip’s passing in 2017.

Their partnership was grounded in music, community, and adventure.

Jamie loved singing in Skip’s band, and together they shared a passion for golf and travel. She volunteered her time coaching local high school students about careers in law.

Jamie was independent, ambitious, thoughtful, and sociable. She was also a fighter. After suffering a heart attack in 2005, she returned to work with determination. Following a major stroke in 2023, she once again faced recovery with grit and resolve.

Jamie is survived by her daughter, Jessica Gelber and partner Mike; daughter-in-law, Jill Knutson; step-grandchildren, Madleen and Olivia; siblings Barry A. Posey and wife Karen; Lenita McDaniel and husband John;

Lisa Bright; Michael Posey and wife Suzy; uncle, Randall Whitt and wife Peggy; and many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Reba Posey; husband, Orby Francis “Skip” Knutson; stepson, Chip Knutson; and sisters, Donna Kaye Colwell and Ginger Gutierrez.

An online memorial will be held in her honor. In accordance with her wishes, she will be cremated, and her ashes will be laid to rest alongside her late husband.