Joe Bennie McKnight died peacefully in his home in Columbus, Ohio on Sept. 9, 2019 with Peggy, his wife of 69 years at his side. Joe was born in Perry County, to parents Joe and Julia (Lowery) McKnight. He grew up in Selma during the Great Depression and graduated from A.G. Parrish HS in 1943 and Howard College in Birmingham. He served in the Army Air Corps as a radio operator during WWII and in the Reserves during the Korean War. In his professional life, Joe worked for the Associated Press as a reporter, editor, correspondent, Assistant Bureau Chief and feature writer, retiring in 1991 after 42 years of service. He is survived by his wife Peggy (Thompson), Sons Alan (Kathy), Brian (Linda), and Jon (Susan), grandchildren Mark (fiancé Hillary), Jeff, Doug (Rheta), and Kyle, great-grandson Hudson, and his sister Marcelyn Jeffries.  A private celebration of Joe’s life will be held at a later date. Those wishing to read the full obituary or express their condolences may do so online at www.OhioCremation.org.