Carlos McKnight

Carlos Franklin McKnight, husband, father, grandfather, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2024, at the age of 90. 

Born May 19, 1933, near Dothan, and a longtime resident of Mobile, Alabama, Carlos was the son of James and Nancy McKnight. In 1951, he graduated from Murphy High School. After graduation, Carlos began working at Alabama Power Company, then took a leave of four years to serve in the United States Army. His career spanned over 40 years at the Power Company as he worked a variety of jobs from line crewman to supervisor. 

As a young adult, Carlos met and married the love of his life, JoAnne. They enjoyed time at rodeos and horse shows and vacations at the beach with family and friends. He spent countless hours at Municipal Park and the University of South Alabama coaching summer league baseball. After retiring, he enjoyed time with his grandchildren and family at his Dauphin Island beach house, and bailing hay, raising cattle, and helping with his brother-in-law’s Christmas tree farm in Washington County. Most recently he enjoyed playing bingo and cards with friends at his assisted living residence. 

Carlos is preceded in death by his beautiful, loving wife of 64 years, JoAnne Holland McKnight, his parents, his brother, Howard McKnight (Laverne), and his sister, Ethyl McKnight Knight (James). He is survived by his son, Carlos Michael McKnight and daughter, Suzanne McKnight Crist (Calvin), grandsons, Charles Clarke, Jr., and Brandon Clarke, step-grandchildren Cory Crist (Ashley), Courtney Cavin (Chris) and their children Connor, Harper, Blakeley, Lilly, and Mark, as well as a brother-in-law, Jim Holland (Brenda) sisters-in-law, Helen Cochran (James) and Inez Young (Bill), numerous nephews, nieces, and friends. 

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at Mobile Memorial Gardens, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, from 4:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alabama Kidney Foundation in honor of close family friend, Nell Rogers Gustavson. 

Carlos will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.