Joy Lynn Champion

Joy Lynn Handwerker Champion
May 22, 1948 - February 12, 2015
Joy Lynn Handwerker Champion was welcomed home to God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) on February 12th. Her earthly body suffered from metastatic breast cancer for the last 22 years. She now knows perfect peace as her body has been made new and she will serve her God in heaven.
Joy was predeceased by her parents Joy Skillman Handwerker and Winston Penn Handwerker II. She is survived by her best friend and husband of 42 years Darrell F. Champion.
The loves of Joy's life were her three children and four grandchildren. Daughter, Layne Ellis Ackerman (Rob) and their wonderful children Noah Carter Ackerman age 14, and Emma J. Ackerman age 12;  Daughter, Christine Joy Champion; Son, Winston Eli Champion (Jackie) and their adorable children Hannah Joy Champion age 4, and Gavin James Champion age 2. These people were Joy's greatest source of pride and blessing.
Joy always enjoyed any time she was able to spend with her sister Ellen Crooks (Dr. Lance), and their boys, Nolan, Reed and Evan. She also enjoyed time spent with her brother Dr. Penn Handwerker (Joan) and his four children Liesl Nebel (Tom), Mish Handwerker (Lisa), Penn Elys, and Mary Kate.
Living cousins who have greatly blessed Joy's life include Judy Manley, Alan Bellew, Duane Mobus, Patti le Blanc, Charles Kuhns and Jamie Joy Kuhns.
In Joy's own words ... "we are a diverse family: multi-ethnic, multi-faith, and multi-personalities. But God has given us compassion in the difficult roads we have all traveled." Joy always expressed gratitude for her family who cared and prayed for her.
Joy was born in Memphis, Tennessee. She was raised in Fresno, Ca. and graduated from Bullard High School where she was active in student government, track, swimming and the lettergirls dance team. She attended and graduated from the University of Pacific in Stockton where she met her husband Darrell, learned leadership skills as a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority, and formed lifelong friendships. She graduated from and received her life teaching credential from U.O.P. Thereafter, Joy taught sixth grade in both Lodi Unified School District and Modesto City School District.
While her children were in high school, Joy brought the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Ministry back to the Central Valley. She started a chapter at Oakdale High School which quickly expanded to many of the other high school campuses in Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties. She oversaw this ministry from 1995 until 2005.
After raising her family, Joy pursued her passion of studying the Bible. At age 50 she attended and received a Masters degree in Christian Ministry from the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary (Fresno Pacific), where she received straight A's for her entire course of study. She often spoke of her Seminary family in Fresno which she credits with helping her grow spiritually and theologically while emphasizing  the subjects of peacemaking and reconciliation. She subsequently received a bi-vocational ministry license from the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Joy often expressed gratitude to her church families which were a great support throughout the years. For 24 years the family lived in Oakdale and attended River Oak Grace Church, where Joy and her family experienced unconditional love and acceptance. Subsequently, Modesto Covenant Church trusted Joy's leadership abilities and allowed her the opportunity to practice a congregational care ministry for the last 10 years. During that same time, Joy was elected to and served as an executive board member of the  Southwest Conference of Evangelical Covenant Churches.
Most recently, Joy expanded her ministries to include Covenant Village in Turlock. She conducted and hosted many events, panel discussions and parties for residents, all with the purpose of sharing and learning from other Christians whom she often referred to as her "faith family".
Joy expressed gratefulness for the prayer support and for the excellent care she received from the nurses and the  oncology doctors at Sutter Gould and Memorial Hospital.
A private burial at Lakewood Memorial will occur where her burial plaque reads "unless a grain of wheat falls to earth and dies it remains alone, but if it dies, it produces much grain." John 12:24. There will be a celebration of life at Modesto Covenant Church, 913 Floyd Avenue, Modesto, Ca. 95350 on February 16, 2015 at 11AM.
Any remembrances honoring Joy's homegoing may be made to the following causes which were so dear to her: Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary at 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno, CA 93702-4709; Joy Champion Oakdale FCA Sports Camp Scholarship, 5724 N. Fresno St., Fresno, CA 93710; Modesto Covenant Church Building  Renovation Fund, 913 Floyd Ave., Modesto, CA 95350.
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