Mary Lou Anthony Welch, 86, of Jena, passed from this life on Wednesday, August 5, 2015. She was born August 27, 1928 in Shreveport. Mary Lou lived in El Dorado, Arkansas and graduated from El Dorado High School. She received a B.A. degree from Louisiana Tech University and a Master of Education Degree +30 from Northwestern State University. She did additional studies at Louisiana College and the University of Texas at Denton. Mrs. Welch taught school in Union and LaSalle Parishes and in the Monroe City School system. She was an educator for 40 years and finished her career as principal of Jena Elementary School, where she served for 16 years. Her accomplishments include past president of the LaSalle Teachers’ Association, a 50-year member of Delta Kappa Gamma, and past board member of the Cliff Williams Memorial Foundation and the LaSalle Nursing Home. Services were held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Aug. 7 at Nolley Memorial United Methodist Church in Jena with the Revs. Daniel Hixon and Amanda Carpenter officiating. Interment followed in the Nolley Cemetery under direction of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena. Survivors include one son, Randall M. Welch and wife Julia of Jena; one granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth Welch Jones and husband Kenny of West Monroe; two great-granddaughters, Annabel Jones and Autumn Jones; one sister, Joy Smitherman and husband Charles of Clear Lake City, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Keith Welch, Kevin Welch, Keith Tarver, Harry Welch, Ned Mc- Cann, and Kip Wall.
Rate this article: