Loretta Woodard Welch departed this life April 29, 2016 with her family by her side. She was born December 15, 1944 to the late Earnest and Susie Mae “Pinkie” Woodard in Calhoun County. She was a faithful member of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church until her health failed. She was united in holy matrimony to Fred Welch on October 18, 1959 and to this union seven children were born. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and dear friend to many. She would always greet family and friends with a smile and open arms.
Her funeral service was May 7 at 1 p.m. at Oak Grove MB Church in Derma with Rev. Dr. W.M. Jones officiating. Burial was in Double Springs MB Church Cemetery in Slate Springs. Pallbearers were Gary Woodard, Danny Wilson, Ricardo Woodard, Revell Tanner, Joe Powell and Steve Wilson. Honorary pallbearers were Bro. Howard Edmond, Bro. James Lawrence and Bro. Alberta Varnado Sr.
She leaves to cherish her memories, one daughter, Anita Welch-Thomas, Derma; four sons, Eulas (Zora), Calhoun City; Reginald (Kathlene) Pittsboro; Calvin (Patricia), Grenada; Fredrick (Victoria), Big Creek; eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; six sisters, Dorothy Johnson, Grenada; Ella McGuirt, Toledo, Oh.; Datherine Woodard, Memphis; Ella Woodard, Jenell (Ray) Bound and Earline Frazier, all of Derma; one brother, Earnest (Dorothy) Woodard, Calhoun City; two special friends, Sis. Lillie Freelon, Pittsboro, and Sis. Lura Clark, New Orleans and formerly of Derma. She also leaves to cherish a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband of 52 years, Fred; two sons, Carl and Darren; two sisters, Virgie Wilson and Mary Darden, and two brothers, Fred and James Woodard.