Derra V. Underwood was born on October 25, 1925 in Sandersville, Georgia. She was one of nine siblings to the late William Veal and Derra Hunt Veal. She was preceded in death by her siblings: Oscar, Sherman, Louis, John, Evenlyn, Beatrice, Augustine, and Ethel.
Our mother was married to the late Harry Rodman Champ Sr. From that marriage they had four children. Two preceded her in death, Cassandra Champ and Harry Rodman Champ Jr. The other two surviving children are Sonya Champ Brown and Kevin Maurice Champ. Our mother remarried in 1975 to Wyman R. Underwood Jr. He preceded her in death too.
Derra was educated in Sandersville, Georgia public schools. She moved to Philadelphia at a very young age. Our mother attended Pierce Business School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for social work. Derra worked for the City of Philadelphia in the Department of Public Assistance. She enjoyed working with the public.
Our mother loved to travel with friends and relatives. Her travelling experiences have taken her around the world. Her latest trip at the age of eighty-five was to China.
Derra is survived by: her children, Sonya Champ Brown and Kevin Maurice Champ Sr.; grandchildren, Shelly Elliott, Diana M. Dorsey, Kevin M. Champ Jr., Michael L. Brown, Jr. and Jazmine R. Champ. She had seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Submitted With Love,
The Family
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