Gloria E. McKnight Champion passed from this life into the arms of her Heavenly Father on January 29, 2015 in the Life Care Hospital in Dallas, Texas.

She was born November 8, 1932 in Denison to the parents of Drewey D. McKnight, Sr. and Carrie Blackshear McKnight. Gloria was the fifth child of ten children born to this union and five of whom has preceded her in death. She attended Terrell High School in Denison and graduated in 1950.  She continued her education and enrolled at Prairie View A & M College graduating in 1957. She also attended Southeastern University, Durant, OK; and Pepperdine University in California.  She received her bachelor’s degree and taught schools in Compton California. 

After moving back to this area she taught at both the Denison and Sherman Public Schools.  Gloria had been married
twice and thought that she would not marry again.  However when she moved to Greenville, Texas, she met Clyde Champion, the principal of Greenville Public School where she also taught school in Greenville, and they were married in 1964. Clyde and Gloria remained married almost 30 years until his demise. He had a daughter, Clydra and together they reared her until she became a grown lady.

Gloria was a longtime active and faithful member of the Church of the Living God in Greenville, Texas, until her health failed.

Gloria E. McKnight Champion is survived by brother Drewey D. McKnight, Jr. Denison, TX; Three sisters Georgia McKnight Jones, Arlington, TX;  Wanda McKnight Busby, Tulsa, OK; Carrol McKnight – Outlay, ( Jerry ) of Arlington, TX; stepdaughter Clydra Champion Wilson, California, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be Thursday, February 4, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Emmanuel Church of God in Christ, Denison, Texas, with Elder Larry Polk officiating and Rev. R. A. Sommers, Sr. delivering the eulogy. Public visitation will be at the church Thursday, two hours prior to services time. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Denison, Texas.

These services has been entrusted to James E. Smith with Scoggins Funeral Home & Crematory, 637 W. Van Alstyne, Pkwy. Van Alstyne, TX; 75495