Robert A. “Bobby” Champion, 60, of Fitzgerald, died Monday, December 20, at Dorminy Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at the Fitzgerald Church Of God with Rev. Dewain Joiner, Rev. Tommy Powell, Rev. Kevin Dawson, Sheriff Bobby McLemore and Timothy Mathis officiating. Interment will be held at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, December 23 at Black Community Cemetery in Black, Alabama. The family will receive friends at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday until the funeral hour at the church.
Mr. Champion was born July 27, 1950 in Lakeland, FL to the late Rufus A. and Wynell Dupree Champion. He moved to Fitzgerald in 1998 from Belle Glade, FL. Mr. Champion was a 1970 graduate of Pahokee High School, graduated from the Palm Beach Police Academy and ABAC Police Academy. He retired in 1997 from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Dept., was former CHAMP Resource Officer and was currently Sgt for the Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Office and Court Security Officer. Mr. Champion was a member of the Fitzgerald Church Of God. He was a Mason and a member of the Georgia Peace Officer’s Association.
Mr. Champion is survived by his wife: Glenda Champion of Fitzgerald; children: Michael Champion of Belle Glade, FL, Melissa Champion of Fitzgerald, Lisa (Carlton) Brown of Valdosta, John (Renae) Mathis of Tifton, Jamie (Rev. Kevin) Dawson of Jesup and Joseph (Vivian) Mathis of Belle Glade, FL; 14 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild; brother: William R. “Billy” (Delores) Champion of Sebring, FL; sister: Judy Melfy of Willington, DE; step-mother, Gladys Champion of Tampa, FL,as well as, several nieces and nephews.
The family suggests those desiring, may send memorials to CHAMP’S Program, c/o the Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Dept., P.O. Box 738, Fitzgerald, GA 31750