Marcia Beth Rutherford Champion

Marcia Beth Rutherford Champion, 78, of Houston, Texas, passed away in the care of Houston Hospice on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Marcia was born on September 2, 1947, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Otis Dolph Rutherford and Bonnie Evelyn Rutherford, nee Summers.

Marcia moved with her family to Houston, Texas in 1952, and she attended both Spring Branch High School and Spring Woods High School, where she was a member of the first graduating class in 1965. Marcia attended the University of Houston, and she was a member of Phi Mu Sorority.

In November 1972, Marcia’s only child and much beloved daughter, Melodie Dawn Smith, was born while married to Raby Carl Smith from August 1971 to December 1975.

Marcia eventually met her cherished life partner, George Henry “Danny” Champion of London, England, and they married in June 1979. Marcia and Dan spent twenty-three years sharing, exploring and enjoying life together until he passed away in October 2002.

A dedicated professional paralegal who worked in the Houston legal community for over thirty-five years, Marcia was incredibly proud to be a part of an industry she truly loved. It’s been said she likely would have been an incredibly successful attorney had she grown up a woman in a more recent era, given her panache for hashing out arguments.

Some of the many talents and interests Marcia enjoyed during her life included photography, dance/drill team while in school, road trips, flower arranging, shopping with her sister and daughter, watching classic movies, enjoying a wide variety of music and of course, hair and makeup. Christmas was a special time for Marcia’s family, and she was known for her elegant tree decorations and her handmade holiday ornaments, which she delighted in giving to friends and family.

An avid dog lover, Marcia was a “Dog Mom” to four amazing pets, the last being Remington “Remy,” who survives her and whom she adored for the past 10 years. She also was “Grammy” or “Gram Gram” to her daughter’s four dogs, all of whom she enjoyed spoiling over the years.

Most importantly, Marcia was a spiritual person, who loved God and who placed her faith and life in His care through her belief in Christ. Her dedication to and belief in her Higher Power guided her throughout her life, through many hard times and through times of happiness and joy as well. She had an empathetic soul for those who were hurting or suffering, and she had a genuine desire to let her faith show through how much she loved and cared for her family, friends and acquaintances.

Marcia is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her eldest sibling and infant brother, Richard, and her beloved sister, Linda Jean Kubin. She is survived by her loving daughter, Melodie Smith of Houston, TX; her eldest sister and brother-in-law, Norma and Robert Mills of Katy, TX; her nieces Kim Jasman and Kristy Kelly and their families, of Katy, TX; her niece, Rachel Melcher and her husband, Lee Howden, of Houston, TX; as well as numerous extended family members.

Tribute Gifts may be made to Amazing Place, where Marcia enjoyed attending the Day Program that brought so much joy to her during the past year (www.amazingplacehouston.org).

A Celebration of Life service honoring Marcia will be held at 2pm, Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Hope Episcopal Church, 1613 W. 43rd Street, Houston, TX 77018.