ALSUP, MARY LOUISE WELDEN, known best to her friends as “Patsy”, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on January 2, 2012. Born on September 22, 1912, Patsy experienced a full, wonderful life that included a loving family, devoted friends, a passion for art and creative pursuits, and the love of her God. She was a loving wife, caring mother, gifted artist, and talented teacher. Patsy was born in Titus, Alabama and spent her childhood in Wetumpka, Alabama, graduating from Wetumpka High School in 1930. She was the third of five children born to May Jones Welden and Charles Raines Welden. She was preceded in death by her parents and her four brothers; Charles Lynn Welden of Wetumpka, Dr. William Clayton Welden of Boston, Massachusetts, Dr. James Maxwell Welden of Dothan, Alabama, and Dr. Joseph Edward Welden of Birmingham, Alabama. Patsy attended Auburn University and received her teaching certification from Troy State University in 1934, where she also met her future husband, James Douglas Alsup. They married on May 24, 1936 and began their life together as teachers at Dale County High School in Ozark, Alabama. Doug and Patsy moved to Birmingham, Alabama in 1941 as Doug began a career with IBM Corporation. Their two children, James Douglas Alsup, Jr. and Charles Welden Alsup, were born in Birmingham in 1942 and 1945, respectively. The Alsup family moved to Vestal, New York in 1952 and Patsy resumed her career as a teacher of Art and an elementary school teacher. She also spent countless hours refining her own skills as an accomplished artist in oils and watercolors, while also raising her children and preparing them for college. Doug and Patsy returned to Alabama in 1964 and upon Doug’s retirement from IBM in 1974, they built their dream home on a hilltop in Trussville, Alabama, just outside of Birmingham, where Patsy lived happily as a devoted wife, avid gardener, accomplished artist, enthusiastic traveler, voracious reader, loving grandmother and loyal member of the First United Methodist Church of Trussville. The house she and Doug built on Queenstown Road in Trussville was truly home for almost 35 years and she loved it dearly. Patsy lost her beloved husband, Doug in 1999, and her baby brother and best friend, Dr. Joe Welden in 2008 and missed them both dearly in her last years. She is survived by her sons, Doug of Jackson, Georgia and Charles of Washington, DC, her grandchildren; James Christopher Alsup of Woodlands, Texas, Heather Leigh Alsup Coleman of Atlanta, Georgia, and Matthew Welden Alsup of Memphis, Tennessee; and 7 great grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 from 6-7 PM at Ridout’s Trussville Chapel with the funeral service beginning at 7 PM. There will be a graveside service at 12 Noon on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at Wetumpka City Cemetery. The family is suggesting donations in Mary Louise Alsup’s name in lieu of flowers to First United Methodist Church of Trussville or a favorite charity.
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