Dr. Carl Chapman Welch

Born December 2, 1931, in Raymond, Miss., Welch was the only child of Thea and Lillian Welch. He began his career in journalism as a reporter for The Clarion-Ledger newspaper in Jackson, Miss. He then became the managing editor of the McComb Enterprise-Journal, a Pulitzer Prize winning newspaper. Later he became general manager of radio station WHSY in Hattiesburg and was also involved in ownership of a station in Corinth.

Welch interrupted his career in radio to join the US Army, where he served for two years and then attended Hinds Community College in Raymond, Miss. After completing his courses, he returned to his work in radio journalism in Mobile, Ala. where he met the love of his life, Miss Jennie (Keller). They eventually moved to Little Rock, Arkansas with their two oldest sons.

In short time, Welch began pursuing a life-long dream to become a medical doctor. He enrolled as a part-time student at Little Rock University where he fulfilled educational prerequisite requirements and was immediately accepted into the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He graduated with Honors (Alpha Omega Alpha) in 1968 and then completed a three-year residency in Anatomical and Clinical Pathology. He then moved his family back to Corinth to become director of laboratories at Magnolia Regional Health Center and the Tishomingo County Hospital in Iuka. His youngest son was born in 1973.

In 1975 Welch began his private practice in family medicine through which he lovingly and unselfishly served the community of North Mississippi until 2015, at which time he continued to work as the medical director for five local programs including the hospice program for Magnolia Regional Health Center, Whitfield Nursing Home, Alcorn County Regional Correctional Facility and Alcorn County Jail and Region IV Crisis Center.

His faith was very important to him and he used every opportunity to tell others of his love for Jesus Christ. He was a member of First Baptist Church and over the years made trips to Guatemala for medical mission trips where he was able to combine his love for Christ and his love of speaking the Spanish language. His hobbies included reading, boating, driving fast cars and flying his airplanes. He was a past member of the foundation Board of Directors of Hinds Community College where he was named the 2007 Alumnus of the Year. His passion for education and helping others led him to help countless healthcare students achieve their dreams.

He loved his family and was never in their presence without telling them that “Whereever you go and whatever you do, remember your Big Daddy loves you..” The only thing that could come remotely close to his love of family and his faith in God was his love of practicing medicine. Welch was quoted many times as saying, “I will retire when the undertaker comes to get me,” and that is exactly what happened on Sunday.

His wife Mary Virginia Keller Welch survives him along with sons Samuel B. Welch (Karen), Lawrence Ernest Welch (Patti), Carl Chapman Welch, Jr. (Jennifer), grandchildren Annie Wilhite Richardson (Jason), Zeke Wilhite (Haley), Mary Lee Welch Smith (Clayton), great grandchildren Maris Elam Richardson, Margo Taylor Richardson, Willow Bond, Molly Kathleen Smith, honorary family members Annie Bell Barton and James Otis Barton and many cousins, friends, colleagues and patients across the country.

Celebration of Life for Dr. Carl Welch is set for 11:00 A.M. Thursday at First Baptist Church with Rev. Dennis smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Henry Cemetery.

Family will receive friends Wednesday from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at McPeters Inc. Funeral Directors.

Pallbearers James Otis Barton, Dr. Andy Holly, Dr. George Cain, Dr. Osvaldo Hans, Dr. Leonard Pratt, Rick Quinn, Dr Gene Combest, Dr. Elbert “Boogie” White, Dr. Tommy Sweat, Ralph Dance.

Memorial can be made to the First Baptist Church 501 Main St. Corinth, MS. 38834, Hinds Community College or to the Alzheimer Foundation.

Condolences can be left at www.mcpetersfuneraldirectors.com

Arrangements under the direction of McPeters Funeral Directors, Corinth, MS.