South Memphis community lines up to celebrate Charles Champion
Dr. Charles Champion (right) greets friends who dropped by to help celebrate his 90th birthday Saturday, Aug. 22. Well-wishers included Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner (left), who stopped by to deliver a gift. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Dozens of cars lined Elvis Presley Boulevard to wish Dr. Charles Champion a happy 90th birthday Saturday, Aug. 22. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Dozens of people drove by Dr. Charles Champion’s pharmacy in South Memphis to wish him a happy 90th birthday Saturday, Aug. 22. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Marvin Newsum greets Carolyn Champion while wishing her husband, Charles, a happy 90th birthday Saturday, Aug. 22. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Many well-wishers held signs out their windows during the socially distanced birthday parade for Dr. Charles Champion on Saturday, Aug. 22. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Former Memphis mayor Willie Herenton (left) talks with 88.5FM radio personality Kavaunjay, who was broadcasting live from Dr. Charles Champion's 90th birthday parade on Saturday, Aug. 22. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Keith King encourages passing cars to honk their horn to celebrate Dr. Charles Champion's 90th birthday Saturday, Aug. 22. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Pioneering Black pharmacist Dr. Charles Champion was showered with adoration by motorists in South Memphis with a drive-thru celebration outside his neighborhood drug store.
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