1916-2011
Biography
I am Lewis Ceasar Champion, Sr., the tenth child born to Dock and Henrietta Champion. I was born on September 13, 1916 in Georgia. I married Ethel Mae Reed on September 9, 1946. Ethel Mae was the sister of Bennie Reed, Sr., the husband of my sister, Rubie Lee Champion Reed. Ethel Mae and I had eight children, Barbara, Lewis, Jr., Margaret, Larry, Beverly, Gwen, Alvin and Pearlie. I established my family in Jacksonville, FL. I instilled in my children strong work ethics and faith in God. I taught them about God, how to pray and to give thanks. To provide for my family, through employment at Winn Dixie Supermarket. I worked there full time until 1965, then continued work part time until I turned 75 years old. I joined the cloud of witnesses on August 3, 2011.
A Reflection
My name is Margaret Laverne Counts. I am the third child of Lewis and Ethel Champion. My fun memories of my father is how he prayed for his family. He prayed very loud. We would say he prayed so loud that it shook the house. I am happy that my Dad prayed for his family.
Every Sunday morning we had to recite a Bible verse at breakfast.
We were a large family of nine people. My sister Pearlie was born 15 years after my birth in 1949. Our family grew to ten people. My dad worked hard to house, clothe, and feed his family. He would stop by Goodwill on his way home from work to shop for us. He bought me a gray skirt and gray sweater from Goodwill. I wore this outfit for many years. I kept the sweater until 1997.
We would wash our face and hands and run to the corner of our street to meet our dad. We would ride home in the car with Dad. I enjoyed growing up with my dad and mother.
When I think of my Dad and how he prayed for his family, it puts a smile on my face. Thank God!!
CHAMPION FAMILY REUNION 