Irene Mae (Spencer) Champion

Irene Champion September 9, 1923 - April 8, 2025 Columbus, GA - Irene Mae Spencer Champion died peacefully on April 8, 2025 in Columbus, GA. Irene was born in Columbus, Georgia on September 9th, 1923 to Fannie Louise Young and Archie McQuestin Spencer. She attended St. Elmo Elementary, Columbus High School, Judson College and post graduate classes at Columbus College. While working at a law office in Columbus, she met her future husband Forrest Lee Champion, Jr. on a blind date, and they were married June 6, 1948 in Columbus, Georgia at First Baptist Church.

Irene was a charter member of Columbus’s Historic Wynn House where she later served as President, a lifelong volunteer of Callaway Gardens and St. Francis Hospital, a past Regent of the DAR’s Oglethorpe Chapter, and a member of the Women’s Reading Club and Student’s Club. She was instrumental in the formation of the long standing Lawyer’s Auxiliary where she served as President. Irene was an active member of First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for many years and attended well into her nineties. She was a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts as well as a leader of the Girl Scouts. She served as a member of Historic Columbus, Springer Opera House, the River Center and the Columbus Museum. She was instrumental in the formation of the Columbus women’s stock club, “The Golden Girls”, that still meets monthly after 40 years.

Irene lived a full and adventurous life. When she was not traveling internationally and domestically or spending time with family at home, in Pine Mountain or in Highlands, North Carolina, she loved reading, cooking, entertaining, her daily swim at the Columbus Country Club and playing bridge with lifelong friends. She was an avid learner, a pioneer in the holistic approach to health and wellness and stayed on the cutting edge of technology, science and the economy. One of her greatest accomplishments was the trip she made around the world in 2001. She would say “before the world fell apart, it was a truly wonderful experience!”.

Irene is survived by her three children, Forrest Lee Champion III, Stephen Spencer Champion (Donna), and Grace Champion Robbins (Bob); six Grandchildren, Forrest Jean Robbins Wool (Rocky), Sallie Irene Robbins Strickland (Will), Forrest Lee Champion, IV (Haley), Leslee Hungerford Champion (Blake), Lauren Champion Adams (Josh), and Kirsten Champion Burger (Mitch); twelve great grandchildren, Emerson, Champ and Yates Hungerford, Forrest, V and Ibby Champion, Jack and Robbins Wool, Fort and Lottie Strickland, and Caroline, Annie and Ellie Adams; Sister Edna Spencer Dickinson, Charlotte Spencer Meltzer, Brother David Spencer; as well as many wonderful nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Forrest Lee Champion, Jr.

Irene has left her body to Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia where she will remain for two years. When she returns to Columbus, Georgia there will be a graveside service including close friends and family for Irene and Forrest Champion at Bethany Baptist Church in Pine Mountain, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, family has requested donations be made to the Salvation Army, Columbus State University, Historic Columbus Foundation, or Columbus Hospice.