Janet Elaine Champion

Janet Elaine Kirby was born in Clinton, NC on November 19, 1959 to Sandra Lee Kirby. Janet’s umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck at birth and she was not expected to live, but her mother and grandmother, Bertha Elaine Kirby, refused to give up on her. They cared for Janet around the clock, ensuring that she would survive and like the true fighter that she was, Janet eventually began to thrive. That same fighter spirit stayed with Janet throughout her life and captured who she was as she continued fighting up until her last moments.

In 1960, the Kirby family moved to Philadelphia, PA where she remained for most of her life and was affectionately called “Lainey Girl.” Though she was known as Lainey Girl in the North, her original nickname given to her in the South was Cookie. Not long after moving to Philadelphia, Lainey became a big sister for the first time when Adair Alaisia, whom she called “Lisha”, was born. A few years later, her family grew even more when Sandra Lee married Johnnie Willie Champion and it was completed when baby sister, Cassandra Joyce (“Cassie”), was born in 1965. Cassie was Lainey’s pride and joy. The two shared a special bond and Lainey wouldn’t go anywhere without “her Cassie” right beside her. They communicated in a way that no one else except the two of them understood and were often mistaken as twins. In 1968, Johnnie adopted Lainey and she officially became Janet Elaine Champion.

Lainey spent her childhood on Bringhurst Street, and was known as the “porch bully” because she would sit on any steps she felt like sitting on. She entered John Wister Elementary as a kindergartner where it was discovered that she had special needs and she was later diagnosed with mental retardation (MR). Following her diagnosis, she was placed at Joseph E Hill School to get additional educational support. Although she had special needs, Lainey attended summer camp, was a part of a bowling league and enjoyed horseback riding as a child. She and Cassie also participated in the Special Olympics. She enjoyed going to church and was a member of Deliverance Evangelistic Church for more than 50 years. Lainey also loved to read. She was rarely seen without a book in her face and would usually be carrying a bag full of books so she could get her “homework” done. In 1980, the year she turned 21, she was transferred to Germantown High School to complete her education. She attended the prom which was a major highlight of her time in school and in June 1981, Lainey graduated from Germantown High School, earning her high school diploma.

After high school, Lainey had her first work experience at the JEVS program where she attended workshop daily and assembled different types of commercial items, like bags of nuts, screws and party favors, for manufacturers. It was there that she also came to understand the concept of payday. Lainey did not play about her paycheck and she would not leave the workshop without getting her envelope on payday. She continued to attend workshop programs over the years, later going on to work at Warren E. Smith until 2014 and then at Development Enterprise Corporation until 2020.

After losing her mother in July 2013, Johnnie, Lainey and Cassie moved to Lansdale, PA under the care of Adair. She was surrounded and supported by her family, which included nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces. She loved her family in her own special way and would usually greet you with an iconic “Lainey kiss” whether you wanted it or not. She also defended children at all costs. No child got in trouble on Lainey’s watch. So if you thought you were going to discipline a kid when she was around, she was quick to let you know she would knock you out if you tried it. She was a godmother to her great-nephew, Amari, and earned the title because she helped take care of him as a baby on rides home from the workshop. She sat in the backseat of the car rocking his carseat and giving him his bottle when he cried. Lainey celebrated holidays, went on many vacations, and enjoyed singing, dancing and playing with toys. She also loved to color and watch TV.

Lainey crossed paths with many people in her lifetime and everybody she knew has a story about her. She took her last vacation to Puerto Rico in August 2022 and in September, her health started to decline. Throughout her illness, she was in great hands with her family. In addition to Adair, her niece, Oleta (“Fattie Face”), stayed close by her side and ensured that she was not overlooked and received the best care possible. Lainey’s fighting spirit showed up once again as she continued to battle for 10 months. She was called home and peacefully went to join her parents on July 13, 2023.

She leaves behind sisters, Adair and Cassandra; cousin, Kyma, who lived with her growing up; nieces, Chakola Leah, Glorious, Adair and Oleta; great-nephews and great-nieces, Maurice, LeRoy, Alaysia, Royel, Royce, Dior, ChaLeah and Amari; uncles, Harold, Percy and Richard; aunts, Connie and Katie; brother-in-law, Olious; nephew-in-law, LeRoy; and a host of other cousins, co-workers and friends to cherish her memory. She was preceded in death by her mother, Sandra Lee Champion in 2013, and her father, Johnnie Willie Champion in 2015.

We extend special thanks to Mrs. Hardy and Bev. You were a helping hand with Lainey for over 50 years and have always been there. Thank you to all of the support people in the many programs that Lainey attended. You made an impact on her life, and she loved each and every one of you.

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