Barbara Gay Runyans Champion, 87, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2022.

Born October 18, 1934, to Dessie Dayberry Runyans and Lawrence Runyans, she lived all of her life in Shelby. She attended Shelby High School and Howard Business College and enjoyed playing sports at both. After she retired, she completed an Associate Degree at Cleveland Community College. Gay worked at Western Union and went on to serve as Elections Supervisor for Cleveland County for many years.

In 1956, she married Dean Champion, who survives her. She is also survived by her son Tim Champion and his wife Kathryn, and by three grandchildren: Julie Champion (Jacob Wojciechowski), Paul Champion, and Will Champion (Chi). She was preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings: sisters Nellie Runyans Monsees, Lenna Runyans Shaw, Jewel Runyans, and brothers Harold Runyans and Robert Runyans.

The family will receive friends at Elizabeth Baptist Church (301 North Post Road, Shelby, NC) on Thursday July 28 at 10 AM, with the funeral following at 11 AM.

The family wish to thank Gay's caregivers in the last years of her life: Cindy Champion, Summit Place of Kings Mountain, and White Oak Manor of Shelby.

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Champion family.