Mary Joyce Welch
August 13, 1926 ~ October 8, 2016
Services for Mary Welch, 90, of Hughes Springs, will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Hughes Springs Cemetery under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Hughes Springs. There will be a time of visitation from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home.
Ms. Welch was born August 13, 1926 to Loy and Vinnerea Watkins in Vivian, LA and passed away October 8, 2016 in Hughes Springs. She is preceded in death by her husband, Homer Earl Welch; parents; and son, David Gerry Welch. Ms. Welch was raised by her grandmother, Mama Kate P. Watkins. She graduated from Hughes Springs High School and at age 60, she became a certified nurses aide through Northeast Texas Community College.
She is survived by her daughter, Sue Bruce of Kennesaw, GA; beloved grandchildren, Eva Marie Ford of Hughes Springs, Amanda Lee Pope of Daingerfield, Amy Sue Guidry of Cutoff, LA, Karen Sue Martin of Zalma, MO, Jim Perry of Venice, FL, Rebecca Bahr of Provo, UT, and Richard Bruce of Woodstock, GA; great grandchildren, Brandee Thomas, Kayla Ward, Angel Sue Fredenburg, Tyler Perry, Jonathan Perry, Chance Perry, Maegan Ford, Skylar Henderson, Mikey Ford, Eli Henderson, Sophie Ford, John Daivd Guidry, Lola Mary Guidry, Brayden Pope, Kynlee Pope, Maddison Bahr; and four great-great grandchildren, Blake Thomas, Matthew Thomas, Triniti Fredenburg, Osmond Fredenburg.
Ms. Welch was born August 13, 1926 to Loy and Vinnerea Watkins in Vivian, LA and passed away October 8, 2016 in Hughes Springs. She is preceded in death by her husband, Homer Earl Welch; parents; and son, David Gerry Welch. Ms. Welch was raised by her grandmother, Mama Kate P. Watkins. She graduated from Hughes Springs High School and at age 60, she became a certified nurses aide through Northeast Texas Community College.
She is survived by her daughter, Sue Bruce of Kennesaw, GA; beloved grandchildren, Eva Marie Ford of Hughes Springs, Amanda Lee Pope of Daingerfield, Amy Sue Guidry of Cutoff, LA, Karen Sue Martin of Zalma, MO, Jim Perry of Venice, FL, Rebecca Bahr of Provo, UT, and Richard Bruce of Woodstock, GA; great grandchildren, Brandee Thomas, Kayla Ward, Angel Sue Fredenburg, Tyler Perry, Jonathan Perry, Chance Perry, Maegan Ford, Skylar Henderson, Mikey Ford, Eli Henderson, Sophie Ford, John Daivd Guidry, Lola Mary Guidry, Brayden Pope, Kynlee Pope, Maddison Bahr; and four great-great grandchildren, Blake Thomas, Matthew Thomas, Triniti Fredenburg, Osmond Fredenburg.
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To most people, she was Mary Joyce. But to all of us grandchildren, she was Nanny Welch and as long as I can remember, when any of us brought our friends around, they would call her Nanny as well. I have always been in awe of her talents. She could do anything! Sing, sew, play piano, create beautiful paintings, and bake just to name a few. (Jimmy & Eva! How many bowls of that buttercream icing did we steal out of the freezer? I can still hear her telling us "y'all get outta there right now!".) When friends would see her paintings hanging in my house, they would ask me what she's like, I would simply say that I always think of her as the epitome of 'Southern Belle'. I told Nanny as much, and she would just blush and smile. I have almost 50 years of memories that would probably take as long to recount and I hold each and every one very dear to my heart. Nanny Welch will be greatly missed, but I know she is happy… especially being reunited with her daddy, husband, and son. I love you, Nanny… Karen Sue
I am so saddened to learn of the passing of Mrs. Mary Joyce. I have known her ALL my life, as I grew up in the church that she belonged to. She was my Sunday School teacher back in the 60's. She was always very active in the church. She made beautiful cakes for special occasions too. She make a four tiered wedding cake for me. She sang and played the organ and piano . She was a very talented and gifted lady. And she was always a lady. I will miss seeing you. Love, Alice Crawford
Wonderful memories of this sweet lady! I cannot think of my childhood church home, First United Methodist Church of H.S. without picturing Mrs. Mary Joyce playing her beautiful music. And what a wonderful seamstress,too! She was such a talented lady in so many ways. And she was always smiling…..We all loved this lady. Heaven has received one more Angel.Susan Moreland & Family
There are so many memories of my great-grandmother that I would love to share. While we didn't love close while I was growing up, I did cherish those weeks in the summer I got to spend with her. From her trying to teach me to play the organ, attending Church, running through the hose outback with my sister while Nanny just laughed, our Shirley Temple movie marathons, and her unconditional love. She also continues to shine brightly throughout my home with some of the many paintings she did over the years. She was a true lady, someone to admire and aspire to be, and I will miss her very much. I love you Nanny. -Brandee Michelle
We would like to express our sincere condolences to the family of Mary Joyce. She was such a lovely lady. Charles' mother, Anna Brabham, loved her so much. Our prayers go out to the family.Charles and Elaine Brabham
I am so thankful I had the privilege of meeting Sues mom, Mary Joyce. Before Sue and Ken left Louisiana Mary Joyce came for a visit in my home and I remember meeting a sweet and happy person. I remember her smile and warmth she displayed. A few years ago Sue and I went on a trip to Texas and I again saw Mary Joyce who at this time was in the nursing home; We visited and then took her out to eat with us. It was a joyous time we had together once again talking and laughing and sharing. We visited for awhile at the nursing home with her and she was so happy and content to be there. At the time she was still teaching Sunday school and playing the piano/organ. I was so bless to have had the time with this lovely lady and know she is in heaven singing with her beautiful voice and being with those that have gone on before her. Thank God she is in total peace and with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Mary Joyce (Nanny), will always have a special place in my heart. My daughter sleeps with the teady bear that Nanny and Papa (Homer) gave me when I was 2. She was always a warm, and kind lady that was always there to fight for her family. I remember one time in particular that Nanny certianly had my back. She was always so faithful to pray for her family individually on a daily basis. I don't know where or what I would be today without my sweet grandmother's prayers. While, I will miss her greatly I am sure she is enjoying organizing the new heavenly choir right now!
Thanks be to The Lord for giving me such a wonderful mother. My first memory is her handing me my birthday cake when I was 3. We had so many wonderful years with countless memories, but a very special time for us was when she was church organist at First UMC in Hughes Springs. (she was organist for decades), and I played the piano. She loved that we played duets at church, and when she had an organ recital at the church, she asked me to play several pieces with her. What a joy! I was proud of my mother and all of her accomplishments. We come from a long line of strong women, and that is amazing. I know she passed a lot of her talents, strength, and love to all of her family. I love you so much, Mama! Thank you for all of the memories I will cherish!
I never had the opportunity to personally meet Mary Joyce Welch but I know of her Christ-like living through knowing her daughter Sue and her granddaughter Rebecca. The faith-filled lives they live, the examples of goodness that shine forth from them, and the love that is so apparent as they speak of lifes experience with Mary Joyce all tell of her greatness.