Nov. 25, 1930 – Nov. 22, 2016

NATCHEZ — Graveside memorial services for Sara Jane Gregory Champion, 85, who died Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, at the Wesleyan at Scenic in Georgetown, Texas, will be 10 a.m. Monday at the Natchez City Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.
Mrs. Champion was born Nov. 25, 1930, Hamburg, the daughter of Henry “Hank” and Lida Gregory.
She was a 1950 graduate of Mississippi State University with a degree in education. She was a career educator, teaching high school English for a number of years.
Sara married Jim Champion in 1950 in New York City.
She had a passion for cooking, being with her family, spending time with friends, fishing and anything and everything to do with football. She never met a stranger and loved people. She had a gift of hospitality and enjoyed playing hostess. She had a flair for decorating and was an excellent seamstress.
Because of Jim’s career in the National Football League and Canadian Football League, Sara had the opportunity to live in a variety of cities throughout the United States and Canada. She lived her later years in Natchez. Sara was known for her southern charm and hospitality.
She was preceded in death by her husband and one sister, Mary Joy “Noonie” Fortunato.
Survivors include three sons, Greg Champion and wife, Gale, of McKinney, Texas, Keith Champion of Centreville, Va., and Joe Champion and wife, Lori, of Georgetown; five grandchildren, Grant, Blythe, Mason, Connor and Jackson; two great-grandchildren, Colin and Kate; two nieces, Anna Fortunato Payne and husband, Brett, and Sallie Fortunato; and one nephew, Michael Fortunato.
Sara was a remarkable woman who will be greatly missed by those who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Green Beret Foundation greenberetfoundation.org.
Online condolences may be sent at lairdfh.com.