GEORGETOWN, Texas — A memorial service for Sara Jane Champion, who died Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, at the Wesleyan Scenic in Georgetown, Texas, will be announced at a later date in Natchez.
Mrs. Champion was born Nov. 25, 1930, in 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.
She married Jim Champion in 1950 in New York City.
Sara had a passion for cooking, being with her family, spending time with friends, fishing and anything and everything 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.
Mrs. Champion 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; and one niece, Anna Fortunato Payne.
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, greenneretfoundation.org.