Mr. Knighton was born on May 19, 1930, to Lee and Nora Bell Dempsey Knighton. He was a member of Free Will Baptist Church in Columbus and he was a Mason associated with the Grand Lodge of Mississippi in West Point. James retired after working as a machinist for 34 years at United Technology. He answered the call of his country by serving in the United States Army during the Korean War.
Mr. Knighton is survived by his wife of 61 years, Thelma McDaniel Knighton of Columbus; and by four sisters, Dale Benson and husband, Milton, of West Point; Ann Fisher of Jackson, Mississippi; Jean McCool and husband, Keith, of Louisville; and Nancy Algood and husband, Charlie, of Denham Springs, Louisiana. He is also survived by a host of beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. Mr. Knighton is preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Bobby Knighton, Floyd Lee Knighton, Claude Cecil Knighton, and Kenneth Bruce Knighton; and his sister, Martha Knighton Hill.
Serving as pallbearers will be Morris Knighton, Duane McDaniel, Michael McDaniel, Shane McDaniel, Dennis Wilkerson, and Shelly Wilkerson. Memorials may be given to the charity of your choice.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
