Elizabeth "Liz" Knox, a beloved mother, grandmother, friend, and pioneer of the Houston bar industry, passed away on February 3, 2026, in Houston, Texas. Born in 1944 in San Francisco, California, Liz lived a life defined by determination, generosity, and an unwavering spirit that touched countless lives.

Liz made history as the first woman in Texas to obtain a liquor license, a milestone that set the tone for a career spanning five decades. In 1976, she opened her first establishment, Lizzard's Pub, and went on to build a collection of beloved Houston gathering places, including LZ's Pub, Komodo's Pub, Cafe Zol, Kelvin Highlander, and Dino's Den. She was a true trailblazer, with unmatched business acumen and creativity. For fifty years, nobody did it quite like Liz, although she would have humbly disagreed with that statement. She was far more interested in encouraging others to succeed and live their dreams than in celebrating her own accomplishments. She was, without question, your number one cheerleader when it came to any new endeavor or goal you set for yourself.

Liz had a gift for bringing people together. Her vision when opening each bar was to create a comfortable space where friends and strangers alike could engage in genuine conversation and connection. Countless people met at her establishments and went on to become lifelong friends, spouses, coworkers, and confidants. The community she built stands as a lasting testament to who she was.

The last thing anyone could ever call Liz was boring. She was creative, unquestionably giving, and possessed a tough love attitude that most admired and many benefited from. She was smart, self-made, and headstrong. She never felt sorry for herself or threw a pity party when times were tough. Instead, she was masterful at solving problems, staying motivated, and maintaining a positive attitude against all odds. She was also something of an enigma, a woman whose good deeds were revealed not by her own hand but through the stories of others who came forward over the years to share how she had given them their first shot or been the first person to believe in them. She contributed so much to so many lives yet remained modest of her own achievements.

Liz, known lovingly as "Mema," cherished helping others, caring for animals, shopping, celebrating holidays and birthdays, and singing "Happy Birthday" over the phone to those she loved. She enjoyed trips to the casino, games of Solitaire, and the beauty of opera music. She was undeniably a fashionista, highly stylish and never seen in public unless her outfit was impeccable.

Liz is survived by her son, Charles Knox and his wife Jackie Deville; her granddaughters, Natalie Knox and Camryn Knox; dear friends Bente Schefferling and John Medairy along with the many lives she shaped throughout her years in the Houston community.

Her influence will carry on through the lifetimes of those who loved her. She lived a life full of amazing accomplishments that will not soon be forgotten. May her memory and spirit continue to inspire the same courage, generosity, and warmth she so freely gave to the world. She is loved and missed more than words are capable of describing.