Cochran – Martha Faye Knighton, age 90, passed away Thursday, October 29, 2026, in the Dodge County Hospital in Eastman. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 3:00 P.M. in the chapel of Mathis Funeral Home. The family will greet friends from 2:00 P.M. until time for the service Sunday at Mathis Funeral Home. Burial will be private at Pulaski-Bleckley Memorial Gardens.

Mrs. Faye, born in Bleckley County, was a lifelong resident of Cochran. She was a member of Lakeview Baptist Church and retired from L&H Shirt Factory, where she worked in assembly before serving as purchasing and procurement clerk.

Her greatest joys were her faith and her family. She was a devoted wife of 68 years, sister, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and was affectionately known as “MeMa”. Mrs. Faye has a strong Christian faith and placed her life in the Lord’s hands. She was previously a Sunday School Teacher and was a member of the “Lakeview Singers” at Lakeview Baptist Church. She was known for extraordinary talent as a seamstress which was evident by the many items she made for her family and others.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Elton F. Knighton, her father, James Wilbur Ross, her mother and step-father, Iria and Grady Franklin Benson all of Cochran, her brothers and sisters-in-law, James “Jim” Ross (Chris) of Hanahan, SC, Charles Milton “Mack” (Helen) Ross of Macon, Curis “Pete” Ross of Macon, Donald Ross (Dottie) of Secaucus, NJ, Grady Lamar Benson (Joyce) of Dalton, Rondal F. Benson (Mary) of Manchester, Carlos Benson of Florida, sisters, Loretta R. Karnes (Rankin) of Texas, Wynell B. Dean (J.M.) and Margie B. Johnson (Jack) all of Macon.

Survivors are her children, Jerry (Susan) Knighton, Cathy (Ricky) Thornton, Caroly K. Tedders, Mike Knighton all of Cochran and Sue (Tony) Yearty of Chester; her sister, Laverne B. Walker of Cochran; her brother, Doyle Benson (Janice) Connecticut; ten grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

The family is at 113 Lynn Place, Cochran.