Charles Noel McKnight

The Honorable Charles Noel McKnight, who was born on December 25, 1944, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by loved ones, on Thursday March 28, 2024. He was survived by his wife Kimberly McKnight, his children Sean (Lara), Noel (Wayne), Lesley (Jim), Allie (Brian), and Lauren. Grandchildren Joey, Tori, Kelly, Jillian, Riley, Kennedy, and great-grandchildren Charlie and Lilly. He is also survived by his brother John McKnight (Judy) and many nieces, nephews, and close friends.
Charlie was born in Philidelphia, Pennsylvania and was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred Collins McKnight and John McKnight. He was a high school graduate of Monsignor Bonner Catholic High School. Upon completion of high school, he joined the U.S Air Force and served four years where he was later stationed in Dauphin Island, Alabama. While in the Air Force, Charlie obtained his bachelor's degree in accounting from Spring Hill College. He furthered his education by attending Cumberland Law School, where he received his Juris Doctorate. He then started a private practice in family and criminal law until 2001.Judge McKnight served as a Municipal Court Judge in Dauphin Island, Alabama; served as special Probate Judge in Mobile, Alabama and spent the remainder of his career as a District Court Judge for the state of Alabama, 13 th Judicial Circuit. He was known as a “people’s judge”. He felt the need to work personally with all who came into his courtroom. He never lost sight of the courts’ impact on the lives that came before him and their families.
Charlie was an avid Alabama fan, loved deep-sea fishing, and talking politics. You could always find him sitting on his back porch or down on his dock, viewing the beautiful Fowl River.
Services will be held on Friday, April 5 th at Saint Domnic Catholic Church, 4156 Burma Road, Mobile, Alabama 36693. Visitation will begin at 10 AM with a celebration of mass to follow starting at 12 PM.

A special Thank You to the nursing staff at Springhill Memorial Hospital Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and Gentiva Hospice Care.

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