Elizabeth “Betty” Darnall Champion, 87, of Florence, died on April 12, 2026, at North Alabama Medical Center in Florence, Alabama, after a brief illness.
Betty was born and raised in Florence, Alabama, and graduated from Coffee High School, Class of 1956, and Lindenwood University. After college, she married the love of her life, Jap Champion, and they traveled the world to support his Army career. She was an active volunteer with Army Community Services (ACS) and the Officers’ Wives Club. After retiring from the Army, they settled in Florence, where Betty lived for the next 47 years. When not busy being a supportive wife and mother of four children, she was active in The First United Methodist Church of Florence, numerous community activities including The American Red Cross, Kennedy-Douglass Center, Downtown Florence Alliance, Historic Preservation Incorporated (HPI), Florence Study Club, Florence Discussion Club, and various bridge clubs.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jasper (Jap) Knight Champion; infant twins Jasper Knight and Elizabeth Glenn Champion; and her parents, Elizabeth (Liz) Glenn Dabney Darnall Gerber, Marcy Bradshaw Darnall, Jr., and Theodore (Ted) Edward Gerber.
Survivors include her children, Didi Carrow (Keith Parrish), Brantley Holt (Ralph), Jasper Knight Champion III, and Teddy Champion (Maya); grandchildren Peter Carrow (Emily), Teddy Carrow (Shannon), Ella Dabney Carrow, Champ Holt (Cassidy), Betty Holt, Acker Holt, Lily Champion, and Jake Champion; great-grandchildren Adelyn, Alden, and Owen Carrow, and Bennett Holt; her two siblings, Didi Franks and Brad Darnall; numerous nieces, nephews, and life-long friends, some of whom she called the Golden Girls.
She is also survived by her beloved rescue dog, Buddy, and her grand-dogs, Remi, Ruby, Sandy, Dany, and Kudzu.
A memorial service will be on Friday, April 17 at 11am at First United Methodist Church, Florence, with a reception following at the Church. A graveside service will be at 2pm at Florence Cemetery. Greenview Funeral Home is assisting.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The First United Methodist Church, 415 N. Seminary Street, Florence, Alabama, 35630, or The American Cancer Society.
