Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

November 10, 2025

CHARLOTTE – Nancy Lee Knapp Champaign born January 7th, 1935 to Mary Elizabeth Stropes and Ross Winifred Knapp Sr. of Fisherville Road, Big Flats, New York. She adored her parents, especially her Dad. Her dad affectionately called her “Nancy Pants” which brought a smile to her face every time she heard it. She was beautiful inside and out and the oldest of seven children. When asked to help, she dropped out of high school to care for her siblings Tom, Shirley, Joan, Gordon, Robbie and Darla, so her parents could work. Nancy had an amazing sense of style and grace. Her half brother, Joe Edwards, would heartily attest to that and loved her and his siblings very much. 

In 1953, Nancy married Darold Champaign and was a fantastic wife and mom of 6 children. Robin Lee Champaign Gill, Brian Alan Champaign, Alicia Champaign Boggs, Leslie Champaign Loughlan, Garth Dana Champaign and Beth Ann Champaign.

She worked incredibly hard to be a loving mom and every year produced garden bounties both frozen and canned. She was self taught and even made her own maple syrup. Nancy took the responsibility of being a loving daughter-in-law seriously too and earned her mother-in-law, Neva King Champaign’s, friendship and respect. She was an outstanding chef at both home and at Chemung Canal Trust Company. She loved the bank and was extremely proud of her work there. Nancy had a best friend, Rita O’Rourke, from high school and throughout their lives together.

She was proud of her siblings, loved them very much and the family trips to Daytona Beach each Spring or summer. Once She even brought back a monkey and an alligator. Nancy spent years bowling on Monday nights with her mom and other Moose Club members. Nancy was a dynamic magnet and she was loved and admired by her friends in the Ladies Monday night Bible study. Many people were drawn to her and adored her. Her legacy is her smile and her incredibly beautiful laugh. Nancy will forever be missed by her 6 children, their 21 children, countless great grand children and the many children she loved on the Sunday School bus ministry. God was an ever-present guide in Nancy’s life. She never wavered from her love and devotion to the Lord. Nancy met her Lord and Savior on November 10, 2025.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.