Jo Thompson Welch

On July 24, 2013, Mom, “Granny Jo,” our beloved mother and matriarch of the Welch family passed from this earth to God’s waiting arms. She is walking with God and laughing with old friends and family that preceded her. Family was the most important aspect of her life. She loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, friends and cats. Mom graduated valedictorian from Forest Avenue High School. She traveled the world as a military wife and mother of her four loving children. There were many adventures that she shared with us all. She raised her four children as a single mother and gave everything she had for them first and foremost, never expecting anything in return. She guided her family with wisdom, love, and understanding. A true matriarch of the Welch’s in every way. She worked many jobs in her career as a mom, Avon leading sales representative, WATS interviewer for a market research company. She retired as vice president of Quality Assurance. She was admired by co- workers and clients alike. She loved her family, painting, and her Native American Heritage. She was so proud to have recently joined the Chickasaw tribe. She was an award winning artist and painted many beautiful pictures for each of us to have and remember her love forever. She is preceded in death by mother and father Bertha Lee McKeehen and Frank Russ Thompson. She leaves to cherish her memory four children, Andrea Welch Carey, John Mark Welch and wife Suzanne, Desiree Welch Schorn and husband Chuck and Steven Welch and wife Anne; 12 grandchildren, Jessica, Jennifer, Katy, Julie, Nick, Joshua, Paul, Jake, Alexandra, Stephanie, Sierra and Elise; 13 great- grandchildren; sister, Susie Gates; and two nephews, Russ Gates and David Gates. Family will receive friends on Friday, July 26, 2013 from 6:00 – 8:00pm at Sparkman/Hillcrest. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, July27, 2013 at 12:00pm at Sparkman/Hillcrest Northwest Highway Chapel with graveside service to follow at 2:00pm at Lone Star Cemetery, Point, TX. Please visit www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com.