Daisy Thompson Champion, 86, died Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011 in the Hospice House of the Carolina Foothills, Landrum.

Born Oct. 28, 1924 in Hendersonville, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Henry D. and Johnnie Sue Edwards Thompson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh B. Champion, their son, Hoyt Champion, and step-grandson, Kevin J. Lanford.

Married April 10, 1942, they had two sons, Hoyt (Martha) and Phillip (Becky) Champion, and one daughter, Brenda (Mickey) Lanford. They also had six grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson, as well as 44 nieces and nephews. She is also survived by a sister, Martha (Lester) Justice of Flat Rock, N.C.

She was preceded in death by two loving sisters, Irene Champion and Arvie Brown, and a brother, Henry D. Thompson Jr.

Daisy lived in Henderson County and moved with her parents to Polk County, where she met and married Hugh. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and aunt. She cherished her family until the very end of her life. The family will forever be grateful for the excellent care given by all the staff of Hospice while at her home or in the Hospice House, her hospice volunteer Cindy Nordon, the staff and caregivers of Community Health Connection and her personal caregiver Sarah Jones. She loved and was loved by many of these people who made her life and death easier.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2010 in Beulah Baptist Church, Tryon, with Dr. Joel Wright, her pastor and nephew Gene Champion and Rev. Charles Arledge officiating.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Tuesday night, Jan. 25, 2010 in the McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Michael Champion, Matthew and Andrew Lanford, and great-grandsons Derick Champion, Cameron and Chandler Patrick.

Memorials can be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, 130 Forest Glen Dr., Columbus, N.C. 28722 or Beulah Baptist Church, 140 Beulah Ch. Ln., Tryon, N.C. 28782, where she was a member.

An online guest register may be signed at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon.