to Richard Vernon Edwards and Eva-Lou Joffrion Edwards. She grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she attended high school and then college at Louisiana State University and was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She finished her education at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art.
Known by her grandchildren as “Keke” she moved to Little Rock in 1954 where she raised her family and became the first art teacher at Our Lady of the Holy Souls School and taught for over 30 years. Mrs Wellborn remembered the names of thousands of students and, to no surprise, all of them were her favorite. Concurrently with her teaching efforts she was chief illustrator for the Discalced Carmelite publication know as “The Little Flower” magazine.
She was a devout member of Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church and served as past president of the Altar Society and was a member of the Parish Council.
Always optimistic with a compassionate viewpoint, she placed the needs of others above herself. These admirable traits earned her many lifelong friends who loved and respected her. Her favorite place on earth was Seagrove Beach, Florida where she enjoyed the sunsets every night and proclaimed each one to be the “best ever”!
She is preceded in death by her husband James Clay Wellborn, son James Clay Wellborn Jr. and Samuel Brooks Cooper. She is survived by her brother Richard Vernon Edwards Jr.; son, Mark Joffrion Wellborn(Paula); daughter Elizabeth Wellborn Sales(Hugh); nine grandchildren: Bonnie Wellborn Malzewski(Alan), James Clay “Trey” Wellborn III, Madison Edwards Wellborn(Hollie), William (Cait), Alexandria “Lexie” Wellborn,Taylor Joffrion Wellborn,Mason Windsor Wellborn,Elizabeth Sales Cooper, Catherine Millard Sales; four great grandchildren: Caroline Clay Malzewski, Grace Katherine “Gracie” Wellborn, Mary Millicent Malzewski and James Clay Wellborn IV; a very special friend Bonnie Norton Wellborn ”Baba” and many other friends.
There will be a visitation held on Saturday, March 24 at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral mass at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church located at 1003 North Tyler St, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.
