Mary Lou King Champion

Mrs. Mary Lou King Champion, 91, of Durham, NC passed away August 5, 2023, at Duke Regional Hospital after declining health. Mrs. Champion was the daughter of the late John Willis King and Peggy Oakley King.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband and love of her life, Justice Thomas Champion; brothers, Leroy King and John “Dick” King and a grandson Chad Champion.

She is survived by her sons, Tommy L. “Bubba” Champion and Gary D. Champion (Tammy); sister, Gloria Faye King; granddaughter, Rachel Watson (Robert); great grandchildren, Chaz Champion (Kerriann), Patsy Newman (Jon), Chad Shepard, Khloe Watson, and Saydie Watson; great-great grandchildren, Lincoln, Emersyn, and Addisyn Newman. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

“Her boys” and her family were her world. She was known as “Tulia” by her younger sister Faye who lived next door for many years, raising their boys together. Mary Lou was very crafty and enjoyed making and painting ceramics.  As the years passed, she was fondly regarded as the “QVC Queen.” Christmas Eve dinners with all the cousins at her house were the happiest times with her special banana pudding and lemon pies being sent home with many. 

She was a member of Shady Grove Freewill Baptist Church in Durham. Flowers are acceptable or in lieu of flowers contributions to Shady Grove Freewill Baptist Church. The family will be receiving guests at 4822 Kemp Rd. in Durham.    

A visitation will be held Wednesday, August 9, 2023, from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Home followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Home Chapel. The Revered Tim McCreight will officiate.

Pallbearers will be Jessie Champion, Kelly Brown, Robert Watson, Chad Shepard, Ronnie Aiken, and Doug Ashley.