Mary Louise Champion

Mary Champion, age 91, of Chelsea, passed away on May 31, 2023. A visitation will be held on Friday, June 2, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Chelsea Church of God. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM. Rev. Kimberly Bradley is presiding and Bolton Funeral Home directing. She will be laid to rest at K- Springs Cemetery next to her husband John G. "Buck" Champion. She is preceded in death by her parents: Tierce Milton Jones and Velma Evie Jones; her brother: Milton (Rose) Jones; her sister: Mildred (Chester) Johnson; her husband: John G. Champion; her daughter: Lenice (John) Moore; and her grandson: David (Emily) Champion. She is survived by her children: Gordon (Betty) Champion, Dyrle (Roy) Woods, and Evie (Calvin) Griffin; her grandchildren: Tabatha (Darron) Hyde, Renae (Mark) Frederick, Jason Woods, Derek (Ashley) Woods, Peggy (Roland) St. John, Patty (Chris) Collins, Beth (Tris) Muncher and Johnathan (Adrienne) Moore; her 13 great-grandchildren; and her 3 great-great-grandchildren. Mary was fondly known to her friends and community as "Sis," but to family she was lovingly called "Nannie." The Bible says in 1 John 4:19, "We love because He first loved us," and Nannie loved with her whole heart. First, she loved her Savior and followed Him daily. She deeply loved her husband and after his passing in 1969, continued to work hard to provide for and love her four children. She loved and always wanted to brag about each of her grandchildren and their families. She loved and accepted the addition of spouses to the fold graciously and quickly became everyone’s favorite person. It was hard for Nannie to make friends but once you were in her circle she loved you and your family as her own. Nannie was a strong, independent woman and being a child during the Great Depression, she learned to make ends meet and enjoyed the simple things in life. She enjoyed being outdoors and would often invite you for a visit on her front porch. She enjoyed gardening and playing with her pets who kept her company for many years. Her laugh was contagious, but she was fierce and stood her ground. She left this earth behind with a treasure trove of memories, which her family and friends will carry until they join her again in her heavenly home. She will be missed so deeply, but the love she gave will continue on. Please sign online condolences at www.boltonfuneralhome.com.

Mary Louise Champion

October 26, 1931 - May 31, 2023