Sara Nell Trusty Champion, 80 of Water Valley, died Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, at
Baptist Memorial Hospital North-Mississippi in Oxford. The funeral service was
held at the First Presbyterian Church in Water Valley on Friday, December 11,
2020 at 2 p.m. with Harold Sprayberry officiating. Visitation will be held on
Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, beginning 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Waller Funeral
Home Chapel and again prior to the service beginning at 1:30 p.m. Burial will
follow at Oxford Memorial Cemetery in Oxford.
Mrs. Champion was born to William Thomas Trusty and Nell Birdsong Trusty on
April 22, 1940 in Oxford. She was raised in Water Valley. Mrs. Champion
attended Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi, receiving
a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a major in mathematics from Ole Miss in
1961. In 1972, she received a Master of Combined Sciences with a major in
mathematics and a minor in zoology from the University of Mississippi. Later she
did post-graduate work at Ole Miss and Delta State University. She spent 28
years teaching in secondary schools and 4 years as a computer
programmer for the University of Mississippi. She also taught some night classes
in mathematics and computer science for Northwest Community College. In
retirement, she worked part-time for 8 years as the mapper for the Yalobusha
County Tax Assessor.
She was an Associate member of the Water Valley Town and Country Garden
Club, the Grand Slam Bridge Club, The Literary Club, The Fuller Housing Board,
The Water Valley Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Ambassadors, The
Water Valley Community Band, the First Presbyterian Church, The Women in the
Church, The University Chapter of the American Guild of Organist and The Order
of the Eastern Star. She served as organist for the church for seven years.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 37 years, Elvis O.
Champion, Jr. and a step-daughter, Linda Diane Champion and her parents,
William T. Trusty and Nell Williams, and step-father, Paul Williams. She is
survived by a step-son, Gary P. Champion, Sr. and his wife, Carmel, four step-
grand-children, Stephanie Reedy Teel, Kelly Champion McDaniel, Holly
Champion Roberson, Gary P. Champion, Jr. (P. J.), and 5 step-great-grand-
children.
Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Mrs. Champion’s memory
may be made to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 590, Water Valley, MS
38965.
For further information or to leave an online condolence, please call
662.234.7971 or visit www.wallerfuneralhome.com.