Betty Boyd Welch

Betty Boyd Welch, age 91, of Tyler, Texas, passed away on Sunday, October 25, 2026 at Oak Hills Terrace Memory Care in Tyler. She was born on February 1, 1935 in Houston, Texas to William Walter and Camilla (Boyd) Welch.

She was the middle child between two brothers. Since her father was in the oil business, she lived a number of places in Texas and in Shreveport, Louisiana. Her family finally settled in Tyler, Texas where she attended Tyler High School and TJC. Betty received a Bachelor of Arts from Baylor and later entered a master’s program at the University of Michigan.

Betty was an elementary school teacher, teaching in Irving, Texas after graduating from college before becoming a member of Wycliff Bible Translators in the early 1960’s. Before working in Columbia, she attended the Wycliff Jungle Camp in Mexico where she met Birdie West. They developed a strong friendship and working partnership. Together, they both earned their MA degrees in Linguistics.

Betty and Birdie began work in Columbia, South America as Bible translators/linguists. This language team worked as a model to others, especially to other single women doing language work. They worked as a team for over 45 years. They developed the Tucano alphabet, wrote primers, and other literature. They dedicated the Tucano New Testament in 1990. Betty went on to help translate Bible Hymns for the Tucano natives.

Like her parents, Betty became a member of Green Acres Church in Tyler. With deep faith, she joined the bible class.

Betty’s great love of cats led her to adopting a white cat by the name of Fluff. In his later years, he became diabetic. Betty met all the challenges that came with his care. Because of it, he lived a long life. When Fluff passed, Betty was blessed with a very loving and talkative cat, Clancy. To this day, Clancy adores and loves Betty.

Betty will be lovingly remembered by her brother, Robert H. Welch; sister-in-law, Elena Welch; nieces, Libby Anderson and Wendy Henderson; nephew, Ryan Welch; special friend, Mary Ann Clifford; great nieces and nephews; and beloved cat, Clancy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Camilla Welch; and brother, William Walter Welch, Jr.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 30, 2026 at Lloyd James Funeral Home, 1011 E 1st St, Tyler, TX 75701. A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. Interment will take place at Tyler Memorial Cemetery, 12053 State Hwy 64 W, Tyler, TX 75704.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Grace Bible Church, 11306 Inwood Rd, Dallas, TX 75229.