Marcus L. Champion

Published 9:10 pm Friday, July 29, 2011

Marcus L Champion was born in Worth County, GA on May 17, 1931, and went to be with the Lord on July 29, 2011 at Dogwood Forest Assisted Living, Stockbridge, GA after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for several years. He is survived by Ann, his wife of 56 years; daughter, Debra (Ray) Gentry; son, Bert (Candy) Champion; daughter, Julie (Buddy) Baker; grandchildren, Daniel (Kristy) Champion, Rachel (Aric) Brooks, April Gentry, Hannah Champion, Allison Gentry, Laura Baker, Charlie Baker; and three great-grandchildren. His parents, Marcus and Fannie Champion; sister, Melba Palmer; and brother, Claud Eudonald Champion, preceded him in death.
Marcus joined the United States Air Force in 1951 and served as an electrical engineer for 20 years. He also served in Civil Service for another 20 years. He fell in love and married Annie Ruth Giles on May 16, 1955 in Arlington, GA. Together they raised three children and moved to various locations. They eventually settled in Tyler, AL outside of Selma. Marcus was a faithful member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Sardis, AL. He served the Lord there as a Deacon, Discipleship Training Director, and on various church committees. In 2006, he was honored as Deacon Emeritus by the church. His heart for missions led to his involvement with the Selma Baptist Association where he served as Discipleship Training Director. He also did volunteer work with Selma Christian Ministries at Craig Field.
Marcus Champion was loved by all who knew him. Full of integrity, he earned respect from friends, family and colleagues. His children remember him as a dependable father who was the rock of the family. While not perfect, he sacrificed to provide for his children and wanted the best for them. His grandchildren remember him as their “PaPa”. He would sing and tell them stories. They have memories of him showing them how to feed a baby lamb, digging potatoes, going fishing, shooting a pellet rifle and raising an abandoned baby fawn named Jim Dandy. He loved the outdoors, animals and growing things. He was a man with a dry wit and sense of humor. The type of man you went to with your problems because you knew he would listen and offer wisdom. A fair and honest man, he liked to look for solutions to problems. A man who loved and was loved, he will be greatly missed.
Services will be held on Sunday, July 31, 2011 at Shiloh Baptist Church, 5441 AL Hwy 41, Sardis, AL. Visitation is scheduled for 2 p.m. in the fellowship hall with funeral services following in the sanctuary at 3 p.m. with Dr. Ray Gentry, Rev. Tom Stacey, and Rev. John Henry officiating. Burial will follow at Shiloh Baptist Church cemetery. Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors, 770 914-1414.