LaVerne W. Welch, 97, entered paradise on July 20, 2022, at her home in Taylor. LaVerne was born Oct. 17, 1924, in Bell County, to Seth and Verlie (Paulk) Whitmire. She was the eldest of seven children, helping to oversee six younger brothers.
LaVerne graduated from Eula High School in 1942. She married her sweetheart Cratis Alton Welch, of Potosi, Oct. 31, 1942, and their union lasted 61 years before his passing in 2004. Their marriage was blessed with six children, Stanley, Janis, John, Gerald, Charla and David.
LaVerne was a homemaker until her youngest child started school. She then worked at the Austin State School and retired after 16 years. She enjoyed reading, sewing, cooking, church activities and most of all time spent with her family. She treasured her large family, friends and especially her church family.
LaVerne is predeceased by her husband, Cratis Welch; son, Stanley Welch; son-in-law, Clifton Peters; and five brothers.
She is survived by her youngest brother, Kermit Whitmire of Clyde, and children Janis Dunham of Clarksville, John Welch (Cathy) of Hillsboro, Tennessee, Gerald Welch (Brenda) of Taylor, Charla Peters of Belton and David Welch (Kathy) of Taylor. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Stacey Pollock (Neal) of Haworth, Oklahoma, Bart Dunham (Jodie) of Texarkana, Darrell Dunham (Sheila) of Clarksville, Jennifer Kyle (Brandon) of Emerson, Arkansas, Dustin Welch (Rebecca) of Manchester, Tennessee, Damon Welch (Becky) of Henderson, Tennessee, Clint Welch (Sarah) of Taylor, Cody Welch (Melissa) of Georgetown, Aaron Peters (LaShea) of Temple, Ansley Allen (Scott) of Hill AFB, Utah, Amanda Talley (Trenten) of Taylor, and Amber Ging (Clayton) of Coupland. In addition, she is survived by 30 great grandchildren and nine great, great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Providence Funeral Home in Taylor. Services will be held Wednesday, July 27, at 10 a.m. at the Highway 95 Church of Christ in Taylor, with Benjamin Dossey and Jason Adair officiating. Pallbearers will be Ken Black, Willie Calvin, Dennis Carter, Frankie Hejl, Mike Huff,and Jim Randig. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Gautreaux, Terry Greene, Mac McPherson and Bobby Morrison.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Highway 95 Church of Christ for benevolence support.
