JOSEPHINE DEBNAM CHAMPION Josephine Debnam Champion February 17, 1936 - March 4, 2018 Raleigh, NC:

Josephine D. Champion, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister, died surrounded by family Sunday, March 4th.

A Wilmington native, Josephine graduated from New Hanover High School (Class of 1954*) and attended Salem College in Winston-Salem.

She was truly dedicated to her husband of 56 years, her family and faithful to her church. Josephine was a member of First Baptist Church in Wilmington and then Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh.

Jo will always be remembered for her love of her family, her sense of humor and her generosity. She spent her summers at Wrightsville Beach and had a true love of the Beach, time in the sun and spending time on the porch with family and neighborhood friends. Known for her bold statement jewelry and being a prankster at heart, her daughters feel honored to have had such a fun loving mother that always encouraged them and laughed with them. Her three granddaughters were blessed to have had such an attentive and giving grandmother. We loved our mother and grandmother very much and she will be in our hearts forever.

Josephine is survived by her daughters, Jane and her husband Gary Folk, Suzanne and her husband Mark Williams; granddaughters Addie Folk, Hannah and Lauren Williams; and brother John Hanby Debnam.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 8th at 2:30 pm at Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in the Memory of Josephine to Transitions LifeCare - 250 Hospice Circle - Raleigh, NC 27607. Condolences to the family at www.MitchellatRMP.com

Published in the Wilmington Star-News on Mar. 6, 2018

*Webmaster editor note added