Lily Champion, 78, passed away on July 11, 2020, at her home in Athens, Alabama.
Daughter of S.C. and Bessie Shoemake, Lily was born in Bruce, MS, and grew up in Water Valley, MS. She graduated from the University of MS with a degree in elementary education and married her high school sweetheart, Dan Champion. Lily taught school in Saint Bernard parish and later Baton Rouge, LA, before relocating to east Tennessee. There she invested herself in her family, her church, and her art – passions she continued through subsequent moves to SC, Memphis, TN, and AL.
Lily was a devoted mother and grandmother, a woman of strong faith, and a talented painter. Her watercolor landscapes and portraits were featured in a number of exhibits as well as North Light magazine. Many of her works grace the walls of family and friends, tangible memories of how she viewed the world.
Lily is survived by her husband Dan Champion; daughters Tara DuBose-Schmitt (Heinrich), and Lori Kerns (Joshua); grandchildren Michaela, Evelyn, Julia and Corinna DuBose-Schmitt and Iris, Autumn, and Eli Kerns; brothers Sam Shoemake (Elizabeth) and Tommy Shoemake (Becky); sister Mary Helms (Bill) and cousin Randy Bounds (Brenda).
Due to Covid concerns, a memorial service will be held at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a cause special to Lily:
Kenya Mission Fund
East Acres Baptist Church
P.O. Box #404
Millington, TN 38053
