Mrs. Katherine Welch

Our precious mother, Katherine Welch passed from this life on September 27, 2016 at the age of 96 years. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016 at Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Walter Sanders and Dr. David Higgs officiating. Interment will follow at Welch Cemetery under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home of Henderson. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 30, 2016 at the funeral home. She was born December 23, 1919 in the Rhodes Community near Henderson, Texas to Cynthia (Clinton) and John Gage. She attended Minden Schools and graduated from high school in 1939. After a few years of courtship she became the wife of our dad, Vernon Welch on May 3, 1940. While dad was serving in the United States Army, Mom did clerical work in Port Arthur, Texas. After Dad returned home from WWII they began their family of four children. Mom was a loving wife, devoted mother, and a committed homemaker. She served God faithfully in the Baptist church teaching and on various committees. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Henderson. Also she was a charter member of the Nederland Chapter of Eastern Stars. In 1964 she decided to take on the challenge of attending college at the age of 44. She successfully completed 60 college hours at Lamar University. She passed the state exams to become a social worker in the Adult Services Program for the state of Texas. She eventually became a supervisor of a Food Stamp Unit in Port Arthur, Texas. This group of workers nominated her for the honor of Boss of the Year in 1976. She was selected from a field of nominees in the Region 6 area of Texas. She was deeply humbled to receive this honor. After her retirement from the state in 1980 she was asked to return to organize and supervise a new Volunteer Program. She also was asked to assist as a Trinity River Disaster Relief Coordinator in Longview, Texas in the late 80's. While living in Henderson she did volunteer work with the Pink Ladies of ETMC and also with Hospice. One of her favorite hobbies was yard work. She loved landscaping her yard. In the past twenty years she has planted more than 300 azaleas and bridal wreaths to go with her beautiful natural dogwoods and redbuds. She always was excited for decorating her home for Christmas for her family to enjoy. She loved vacationing with friends and family throughout the United States. She always impressed her sons and grandsons with her knowledge of sports. She loved watching football, basketball, and baseball on television. She could discuss the games and players adeptly. Most of all she valued her quiet devotional time each morning with her cup of coffee. Mom was preceded in death by her parents, Cynthia and John Gage; brothers Thomas, Bill and Hayes Gage; sisters Ethel Tolly, Juanita Allred and Johnnie Sue Clifton. She lost her beloved husband, Vernon after only 37 years of marriage. More recently she lost her sweet first granddaughter, Kelli Kristin Welch. She is survived by one brother, Jesse Overton Gage of Henderson, also by her children Max Vernon and wife Beverly Jo Welch of Spring, Texas, Gale Edwin and wife Judy Lynn Welch of Cypress, Texas, daughter Kay Diane Fumuso and husband Albert John of Beaumont, Texas and daughter Donna Jo Patton and husband Robert Dale of Kenedy, Texas. Her ten grandchildren are Jo Shannon Crowder(Chris), Lauren Ashley Smith, Blake Tyler Welch, Nicole Alexandria Cheramie, Brandi Kay Ford(Jason), Jennifer Renee Bonner(David), Marc Antony Fumuso(Emily), Micah Vernon Patton(Erin), Rachel Diane Bowers(Calvin), and Jonah Robert Patton. She has seventeen great-grandchildren who are: Lilli Katherine Grace Sanders, Cameron Max Crowder, Delaney Jo Crowder, Madison Lynn Smith, Mackenzie Gale Smith, Tyler Patrick Smith, Hunter James Keith, Alexander Paul Cheramie, Jacob Michael Cheramie, Alexandra Camille Ford, Adam Scott Ford, Trace Austin Bonner, Averie Renee Bonner, Broc Cole Bonner, Rix Robert Patton, Hayes Vernon Patton and Brock Kenedy Bowers. She is survived by many nieces and nephews whom she all loved dearly. The family gratefully expresses their thanks for the wonderful care given by ETMC and Hospice employees of Tyler, Texas. If desired memorial contributions may be made to The Hospice of East Texas at 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701; or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Texas Gulf Coast Chapter, 5433 Westheimer St., suite 300, Houston, Tx 77056. Condolences may be made online at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Mrs. Katherine Welch

December 23, 1919 - September 27, 2016