ForeverMissed
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Burley Wayne Champion, 74, of Oxford, N.C., passed away on June 11, 2016, surrounded by his loving family.

Native to Granville County he was an avid farmer, business entrepreneur, and horse lover. Burley loved a good joke and believed in a hard day’s work.

Burley is survived by his spouse of fifty-one years, Brenda Denny Champion; his son, Wayne Champion (Casey), and daughter, Wendy Champion Norwood. Also surviving are six grandchildren: Dillon, Brandy, Brittany, Grace, Denny, and Garrett. He is survived by eleven brothers and sisters: Pauline Newell, Howard Champion (Allie Mae), Virginia Morton, Donald Champion, Faye Jones, Clifton Champion (Gail), Linda Fox (Sam), Charles Champion, Larry Champion, Betsy Lovings (Robert), and Steve Champion (Denise). He was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney C. Champion and Helen Taylor Cash Champion; his daughter, Elizabeth Joyce Champion, and sister, Erma Champion Reece.

Visitation will be held at Eakes Funeral Home on Monday, June 13, 2016, from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Funeral Services will be held at Mount Zion Baptist Church on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, at 2:00 P.M. followed by burial in the Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Berea Fire Department, 1213 U.S. Hwy 158, Oxford, N.C. 27565 or to Mount Zion Baptist Church, 1171 U.S. Hwy 158, Oxford, N.C. 27565.

April 14, 2017
April 14, 2017
To his brothers, sisters and immediate family, may you have only pleasant memories on this day of remembrance!!!
September 21, 2016
September 21, 2016
Burly you'll be truely missed.Thank you for showing me how to show horses. I knew how to ride but I had never showed horses before.He told me that it didn't matter what your horse looked like as long as it knew what to do. I came right off a trail ride Burly told me to inter my horse. So I did and won. So from then on I knew it's what the horse knows not what it looks like. Thanks for the many laughs. Ms. BRENDA WAYNE. AND WENDY. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May the Lord Jesus bring pease to all of you.And we'll see that speacial cowboy in the Heavens and we will ride for eturnity RIP
June 22, 2016
June 22, 2016
I had many good times and lots of laughter with Burley.He was one of a kind,Brenda I was with Burley the night he met you for the first time.I believe it was at this dance hall call Big Daddy's.He told me it was love at first sight.My prayers go out to you Brenda and your family.
June 15, 2016
June 15, 2016
R,I,P, Burley, prayers to the family. Had some great times working for you.. you sure were a cat pistol... many a laughs back in the day at Champion & Co. Thoughts with you Brenda, Wayne and Wendy...
June 15, 2016
June 15, 2016
Brenda, Wendy and family, just learning about Burley's passing! So sorry! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
June 14, 2016
June 14, 2016
My deepest sympathies go out the the Champion family. I remember Burley and Brenda when I lived next to them in Berea. He was a character! He always seemed to have a smile on his face not matter what the situation. Ride forever on the great range in the sky.
June 13, 2016
June 13, 2016
To all the closely knit, large and loving Champion family, my condolences, prayers and thoughts are with you during this very difficult time that you are facing. Coming from a large family and knowing how close we are, to lose not one but two is s burden only God can carry us through. Our love to you!!!
June 13, 2016
June 13, 2016
Prayers for the Champion Family as they go thru this difficult time. Burley was a special person and helped many people. He will surely be missed. Special prayers for my two granddaughters Brandy & Brittany Champion. Burley taught them so much about horses. Rest in peace Burley . I am sure you are free from pain in the presence of our Lord & Savior.
June 12, 2016
June 12, 2016
Granddaddyy I love you and miss you more than you will ever know. You were always someone I looked up to. You taught me so much over the last 23 years and I'm not sure how this life is gonna be without you. I know you're watching over me and I can't wait to see you in heaven. Rest in peace cowboy!

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Recent Tributes
April 14, 2017
April 14, 2017
To his brothers, sisters and immediate family, may you have only pleasant memories on this day of remembrance!!!
September 21, 2016
September 21, 2016
Burly you'll be truely missed.Thank you for showing me how to show horses. I knew how to ride but I had never showed horses before.He told me that it didn't matter what your horse looked like as long as it knew what to do. I came right off a trail ride Burly told me to inter my horse. So I did and won. So from then on I knew it's what the horse knows not what it looks like. Thanks for the many laughs. Ms. BRENDA WAYNE. AND WENDY. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May the Lord Jesus bring pease to all of you.And we'll see that speacial cowboy in the Heavens and we will ride for eturnity RIP
June 22, 2016
June 22, 2016
I had many good times and lots of laughter with Burley.He was one of a kind,Brenda I was with Burley the night he met you for the first time.I believe it was at this dance hall call Big Daddy's.He told me it was love at first sight.My prayers go out to you Brenda and your family.
Recent stories

I remember!

June 13, 2016

My memories of Burley always have Bro in them.  These two wonderful real cowboys.....When Bro told stories about Burley you could hear the love and respect in the way he told them.  One story I remember was at a show when someone was ready to fight Bro and Burley came running up on Upsy  (I think is the name of the horse Burley was riding) rearing up right into the crowd breaking it up.....a real cowboy.

I remember that he was always smiling and talked softly.    

Bro used to say and I know it to be true, if you knew Burley you loved him.  

We will all be together again with the Lord and we will ride together again......when we return with the Lord riding white horses.  Won't that be the day!!!

Glory to God.     

Thanks to Burley

June 13, 2016

All through my childhood, I wished for a horse on the first star I saw at night.  I was 39 when I got my first horse, and it was thanks to Burley Champion.

 

We moved to Oxford with CertainTeed and John got to know Burley because he built shingle samples for the plant.  When John said we were interested in horses, Burley and Brenda welcomed us with open arms to their farm, even our rambunctious four and six year old boys.  Burley found the boys a patient little strawberry roan mare who gave them endless pleasure and very little trouble.  They named her June.

 

John and Burley went to an auction at the NC Fairgrounds and waited patiently all day for the right horse for me.  At the end of the day, a horse named Tequila Pine came up.  Labeled a “big flashy gelding,” he was a bit shaggy and, at 19, did not draw much attention.  But he had western pleasure points and Burley figured he’d be perfect for me.  He was.  He and Burley taught me to ride, and Pine was my best friend for 10 years.  Pine, and the 25-year-old saddle Burley helped John find, were the best gifts I’ve ever had in my long life.

 

Although Burley liked to breed horses for speed and agility, he also loved to trail ride.  From his barn, we would either take the River Trail or the Mountain Trail.  They were equally challenging and good training for both horses and riders.  The River Trail included a Tar River crossing.  While some horses, like Pine and June, crossed without a problem, many of the colts Burley trained were quite alarmed when they first saw that crossing.  John, Burley, and Wayne all enjoyed the challenges of riding young colts and getting them used to that crossing.  The rest of us would be quite entertained through those events, and we all admired the way Burley could handle a strong willful young animal.

 

The Mountain Trail presented different challenges.  Steep up and down paths built strength and agility in the animals and taught the riders balance and horsemanship in rugged conditions.

 

There are so many wonderful tales from those Sunday afternoons on the trails and Friday nights at Burley’s ring.  If it was cold, he’d make a fire in a barrel.  You really should ask John about the night he and Burley practiced “western pick-up.”  It involved Burley riding at a canter with John running up alongside and grabbing Burley’s arm to swing up behind him on the horse.  They were both covered in mud by the end of the night, but that didn’t stop them from going to the Waffle House to celebrate their eventual success.

 

To Brenda, Wayne, and Wendy, thanks for sharing those wonderful times with us and for welcoming us to Oxford.  You all have a very special place in our hearts.

 

Jennifer Coplin

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