Mary (Handley) Champion

Mary Handley Champion, a resident of Dothan, passed away Friday, March 16, 2018 at Southeast Alabama Medical Center surrounded by her loving family at the age of 81.

Memorial services for Mary will be held at 2 PM Monday, March 19, 2018 at Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Dothan, AL with Pastor Ray Jones officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 PM until 1:45 PM prior to the services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to; Gideons International, PO Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251.

Mary was born December 23, 1936 in Waycross, Georgia to the late Charles B. and Emily Outlaw Handley. She was a graduate of Waycross High School and attended South Georgia College. Mary married Van Champion and they raised their family in Statesboro, Georgia and Talladega, Alabama before moving to Dothan in 2002. She was very involved in her church and served as, VBS Director, church secretary, WMU leader and was in the Auxiliary of Gideons International. Mary was a faithful member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, sister, Emily Riggs and a brother, Charles Handley, Jr.

Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Van Champion, Sr., Dothan; daughter, Celeste Champion, Montgomery, AL; sons, Van Champion, Jr. (Betsy), Tallahassee, FL, Bob Champion (Teresa), Crestview, FL, Chris Champion (Jana), Headland; grandchildren, Handley Mikec (Brad), Caroline Smith (Payson), Emily, Davis, Daniel, Grace, Devan and Carlan Champion; brother, Stephen Handley (Patti Dinsmore), Seattle, WA; special friends and neighbors of Wesley Place.

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