[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 7, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF CHANDRA DIANE CHAMPION-WALKER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 7, 2014

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
achievements of life-long Memphian Chandra Diane Champion-Walker, who 
passed away Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Chandra Champion-Walker was born 
on December 30, 1959, and was the first-born daughter of Dr. Charles 
and Carolyn Bailey Champion, the owners of Champion's Pharmacy and Herb 
Store on Elvis Presley Boulevard in Memphis, Tennessee. She attended 
Father Bertrand Elementary School and graduated from Memphis Catholic 
High School in 1977. She furthered her education by attending Memphis 
State University, Talladega College and Lemoyne-Owen College, where she 
graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business 
Administration.
   Following in the footsteps of her family, Chandra became a Certified 
Pharmacy Technician and joined the family business in delivering 
pharmaceutical and alternative medicines to the people of Memphis. Her 
father, Dr. Champion, a renowned herbal pharmacist, referred to her as 
his ``Rock'' and has received many prestigious awards with her by his 
side. These include the Bowl of Hygeia Award for outstanding community 
service by a pharmacist and the 1987 Pharmacist of the Year Award.
   Chandra proved to be a woman capable of showing endless love and 
affection for all people who entered her life. She was a selfless giver 
and was always willing to help a friend in need. It was said that she 
always thought about how to take care of and make things better for 
others--never about how to take advantage of any situation for her own 
gain. Such compassion for others is rare among people and all who knew 
her are fortunate to have been able to call her a friend.
   Chandra Diane Champion-Walker leaves behind her husband, Jeffrey 
Lind Walker; her children, Charles Edwin Champion and Jessica Michelle-
Lynne Walker; her parents, Carolyn Bailey and Dr. Charles Champion; her 
adoptive grandmother, Bernice Sullen; two sisters, Dr. Charita 
``Ricky'' Champion Brookins and Dr. Carol ``Cookie'' Champion; one 
niece, Rikki Charee Brookins, and many other loving friends and family 
throughout Memphis. She was eulogized at Mt. Olive Cathedral C.M.E. 
Church in Memphis, which she joined as a young child. The city of 
Memphis has lost a beloved member of the community and the difference 
she made each and every day will be remembered. I ask all of my 
colleagues to join me in honoring Mrs. Chandra Diane Champion-Walker. 
Hers was a life well-lived.

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