Denise Champ Compton, 56, of Roanoke, VA, completed her journey to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 3, 2019, surrounded by those who love her. Denise was born a twin (Donna) to the late Carson and Willa Gaye (Akers) Champ on May 1, 1963, in Elmhurst, Illinois. She was a hair stylist in the Roanoke Valley for over 20 years. Denise truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures: chatting with family and friends, shopping (TJMaxx and Marshalls were her go to), cooking, and most of all, spending time with “her girls” (granddaughters, Nataley and Delaney). Denise’s compassion, thoughtfulness, sense of humor, and empathy for others was uncanny. She found true joy in giving; she rarely forgot a birthday, birth, or other special life event of family and friends or those simply in need of a home-cooked meal or some special gift to cheer one up. Denise was an amazing mom, “gammy,” daughter, sister, and confidant loved by so many who will miss the joy, laughter, and friendship she brought to their lives. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Clifford and Gwendolyn Akers; paternal grandparent, Hazel L. Champ; sisters, Debbie Branham and Pamela Champ; nephew, Adam Rauer.
Those surviving to cherish her precious memory include her two sons, Brandon Compton (Dixie) and Matthew Compton; siblings, Lisa Roop, Donna Rauer (John), and Theresa Sharick; two grandchildren, Nataley Compton and Delaney Compton; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
A funeral service to celebrate her life will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 7, 2019, at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home with Pastor Don Summerville officiating. Burial will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem, Va., with family and friends. John Rauer, Joshua Roop, Doug Johnson, Ray St. Clair, Brian Stewart, Scott Hickson will be serving as pallbearers.
A visitation for her friends with the family will be held from 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, Va., and again on Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. until the hour of the service.
Special thanks to many of her loving friends who were so giving of their time and love during Denise’s journey to Heaven: Doug & Linda, Elsie & Carol, Joyce, Vivian, Kathy, Colleen, Ray & Donna, Cindy, Tessy, Carson, AG, Zeke & Lynn, Brittney, Jeff, Pam, and so many other friends and long-time clients who shared their prayers, stories of how she touched their life, and the love they had for Denise.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to any charity that touches your heart; the organization that touched Denise’s heart and where she made donations regularly was to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnmoakey.com.