Vickie Marlene Welch

Vickie Marlene Welch, age 87 of Oklahoma City, passed from this life on April 12, 2019 in Ada, OK. Services have been entrusted to the care of Advantage Funeral and Cremation Services located at 7720 S. Pennsylvania Ave. in Oklahoma City. A public visitation will take place from 9am to 8pm on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at the funeral home. A service honoring her life will take place at 11am on Thursday, April 18, 2019 at the funeral home chapel.

Marlene was born on August 12, 1931 in Hopper, Arkansas to Walter and Cora Evelyn (Hopper) Duke. She was raised and attended schools in Glenwood, Arkansas. On April 22, 1950, she married Harold Welch. They resided in Grants, Mew Mexico for over 15 years. Following a brief return to Arkansas, the family relocated to Oklahoma City in 1968. Marlene spent the majority of her life as a homemaker, raising her three children: James, Janet, and Phillip. Harold passed away in 1991, causing Marlene to become quite independent. Soon after, she went to work at the Hallmark store in Walnut Square in south Oklahoma City where she spent over a decade assisting in store operations. She enjoyed her time at Hallmark and made many wonderful friends there.

Marlene enjoyed reading, gardening and ceramics. She was a loyal fan of both the OU Sooners and the Dallas Cowboys. She was a feisty and organized woman who loved cross-country travel and camping in Arkansas with her loving family. Marlene’s faith was important to her and she was a member of the Southwest Freewill Baptist Church. She was never happier than when she was spending time with her family, and her homemade tortillas and green chili enchiladas were the perfect excuse for her family to gather. Marlene made many wonderful memories in her 87 years of life, and will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Welch; her parents, Walter and Cora Duke; a son, Phillip Welch; a grandson, Stephen Welch; a son-in-law, Charles West, and three siblings, Faye Boren, Jewel Wayne Duke and James Duke.

She is survived by her daughter, Janet West of Ada; son, James Welch and wife Deborah of Oklahoma City; two step-children, Cheryle Shaw and husband Charles and Harold Douglas Welch, both of Arkansas; a sister, Lexi Hill and husband Danny of Grants New Mexico as well numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and other beloved family members.