1918-2008
BIOGRAPHY
I am George Franklin Champion, Jr. I am the 11th child born to Dock and Henrietta Champion. Just like my father, every one calls me Dock. I grew up working on the farm with my family from a young age. At 15, I joined Zion Hope Baptist Church in Sumter City. Church has always been a huge part of my family.
Once I became of age, farming was my way of life. With the help of a some of my siblings, we farmed the land in Sumter City and provided for our family. That has always been one of my main goals, providing.
In 1943, I married my best friend, Willie Mae Williams; and after a brief stint in the Army, I came back home to the Sumter City and made it my own. The home house was very dear to my heart and I decided to continue living there. In 1945, I was ordained as a deacon at Zion Hope, where I also served as Sunday school Superintendant for many years.
Prior to marriage, I had a biological son named Robert. And shortly after my marriage to Willie Mae, my sister Annie Rose passed, leaving three small children. To keep them in the family, Willie Mae and I took and raised her two daughters, Abidel and Wilma. Our children were a blessing to us. My sister Ola raised their brother Thomas. It was essential that we keep them in the family.
I continued to farm, began driving buses for the school system, and also became an ordained minister. I preached my first sermon at Zion Hope in 1964.
Family is always at the center of my life. When my sister Rubie had the idea of starting a family reunion in 1968, I was all in and I did not miss a single one until my health declined in 2007. I cherished the idea of family getting together frequently, and made sure my crew knew that rain, sleet, or shine, we would be at the family reunion each year. That was just understood!
I went on to pastor a number of churches over the years. I thank God for that journey.
Willie Mae was called to Glory in February of 1993. Later that year I was blessed with another caring and nurturing wife, Edna Mae Baker. She was a true and loyal companion until the very end. I transitioned to be with the Lord on November 29, 2008.
Carry on my dear family; carry on! To God be the glory.
A REFLECTION
Hello Family, I thank God for the opportunity to see you again! It seems like a different world, but it’s still good to be here. We don’t know what the future holds for us, but I’m glad to know I who beholds the future.
Rev. Dock Champion became my pastor after I had been a member of New Corinth Baptist Church for about 20 years or more. He seemed to possess pastoral qualities we needed and desired. Being a member of New Corinth always seemed different to me because all of our pastors seemed to have expected the members to live the kind of life we studied about, and they preached about, from God’s word. Rev. Champion and his wife were good leaders, obedient to God’s word.
He knew God’s word and what he needed to teach us about being followers of the word. He knew how to organize a church, so that it would be a light shining in a dark world. Money was not his main goal. He paid whatever he expected the members to pay, being an example for his followers in every respect.
He pastored several churches; remaining at each church for many years, most of them 30 plus. He only left a church when it seemed evident that the members did not wish to grow more loyal to our Father, God.
He loved his family and was loyal to them in every way. It made him extremely happy to look out into the audience and see some family members participating in the service.
Although I had been married 32 years before Dock and I were married, he taught me a lot. Even how to make biscuits! When he passed, I forgot how to make those delicious, melt in your mouth, biscuits. I wonder why!
Loyal, dedicated, sincere, kind and obedient are a few words I think describe this man of God, who became my husband. We spent 15 happy years together and made many memories. I never even dreamed we might become husband and wife. We had only enjoyed each other as church family and friends. God knows our past, present and future. I thank Him for knowing because if I knew, I think I’d faint!
Thank you family for allowing me to share a few memories with you.
You too are in my memory! I’m glad we are family and I love you!
CHAMPION FAMILY REUNION 