Lavonne Welch

During the early morning hours of September 19, 2020, Lavonne Welch passed from this life surrounded by family and friends that loved her dearly. She was a Christian, a fabulous cook, a hard worker and a classy lady. She was 81.

Lavonne was born to the late Johnnie Ray Brown and Anna Macel (Kerr) Brown on August 13, 1939. She was farm-raised in Center Point with her brothers and sisters, Willie Paul, Kathryn, John and Carolyn. They lived on and worked hard on that farm until Lavonne met and married the love of her life, Bobby Welch, on August 1, 1958. Bobby then made a “town” girl out of his “Brownie” (as he called her) and they began their new life together.

In her lifetime, Lavonne was a homemaker and worked many years for Clay Hundley, Jr. until she decided to open The Path Life, where she sold vitamins and herbs in addition to preparing tax returns. The spring was always a busy time for both Bobby and Lavonne as she would work to prepare returns and Bobby would join her after working at the body shop to make copies and prep them for mailing. This sometimes caused them to work very late at night to meet the April 15 th tax deadline.

Bobby and Lavonne have three children Charlotte, Cheryl and Johnny. Lavonne was proud of her children and instilled in them the characteristics that prepared them for both their personal and professional careers. So, in true Lavonne fashion and as Lavonne would say, “I want to brag on my kids.”

Lavonne also loved her great-grandchildren Hannah, Emma and Jholdi along with all her nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. She never forgot a birthday and always had a birthday card ready on each child’s, grandchild’s or great-grandchild’s birthday. Her brothers and sisters were not forgotten, either. If a meal could be involved, she would do that, too. Over the years, she opened her home to host family holidays, barbeques and has prepared countless meals for visiting preachers during gospel meetings. No one left Lavonne’s table hungry. She made certain of that and would make you try things whether you wanted to eat them or not because she always thought her “version” of that particular food would make you love it, giving her a culinary victory.

Lavonne didn’t trust anyone, second-guessed everything but ultimately, loved us all. Her many kindnesses to people are evident of that.