Carole Hammond Champey, 67, passed away at MUSC in Charleston while being treated for complications associated with her long battle with scleroderma and secondary pulmonary hypertension. She was pre-deceased by parents James H. and Catherine S. Hammond.
Carole was diagnosed with scleroderma in her early thirties, when just beginning her life as a devoted wife, mother, and nurse. She married John W. Champey in 1963, and they completed each other for the next 47 years. In recent months she described him as “the love of her life, soul mate, and primary caregiver.” During card games over the past 40 years, she has described him more colorfully, and less favorably. She loved to travel, and she stayed active with adventures from parasailing, to snorkeling in the Caribbean, to (just last year) having her first jet ski ride. While her Johnny may have preferred to be at the farm, Carole could always drag him off to the beach, which was where she was happiest. She would sit for hours and read by the ocean or take long walks and collect shells. She refused to be defined by her illness and lived a full, though terribly short, life. She was an ardent advocate for medical advancement and served for 27 years as a nurse with the SC mental health system. Carole was always thankful for her medical team, nurses and support group.
Carole and John raised two daughters, Joy and Julie. They, with the advice and example of their parents, are blessed with long term marriages and daughters of their own. Carole adored her granddaughters Leah and Cody McMillion, and Tyler Peerson above and beyond all else in life. She was always available to go and do what they wanted, be it a horse show in 100 degree heat or a Broadway play.
She was a member of Lebanon United Methodist Church and the Hopkins community. She is survived by: John W. Champey, husband; Wayne Hammond (Bonnie), brother; Joy C. McMillion, daughter; Alan McMillion, son in law; Julie C. Peerson, daughter; Blain Peerson, son in law; Granddaughters, Leah and Cody McMillion, and Tyler Peerson; and Many beloved extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers she requests donations be made to the Scleroderma foundation, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, or Lebanon United Methodist Church.
Memorial services will be held at 3:00 pm Saturday, June 5, 2010 in Greenlawn Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Mark Williams officiating. The family will receive friends from 2 pm until the hour of the service on Saturday at Greenlawn Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be offered at www.DignityMemorial.com.
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