Funeral services for Ralph Kennedy Welch were held at Good Hope Baptist Church on Sunday, May 18th, 2025, at 10:00 AM with Reverend Chris Welch officiating. Burial followed in Good Hope Cemetery under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service. Serving as pallbearers were Gaylon Toney, Chris Welch, Frankie Swain, Ronald Welch, Alvin Welch, and Gary Welch. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Chester Duncan and Tinker Hillman.
Ralph Kennedy Welch was born to Jesse and Goldie Welch on November 16th, 1938. He passed from this life on May 15th, 2025. Ralph was a man who had not just a hardworking spirit, but a loving one as well. He was a 1957 graduate of Anacoco High School, and on June 4th, 1962, he married the love of his life Sarah Lillie Welch. From there, they began a family together. He served our country from 1962-1964 in the Army. Being a man who frequented the outdoors, whether it was coon hunting in the tall trees or running trotlines on the lake or river, he loved to be outdoors. Ralph also enjoyed farming, as he loved to work with his hands. His career was made in the woods, as he was a logger for many years. He told people when you get sawdust in your blood, you can’t get it out. He had a passion for music and playing guitar. He used this passion to worship the Lord, either at home or at church. From a young age, he was a caregiver for his whole family, and that same giving and loving attitude carried off into his adult years as he raised a family. Ralph will be remembered for the deep love he had for not just his friends and family, but the love he had for Jesus. He was loved by many and will be deeply missed.
Preceding Ralph in death was his father, Jesse Willard Welch; mother, Goldie Avice Jeane Welch; sister, Avis Joyce Welch; brothers, Linnell, Johnny, Raymond, Rickey, and Jeane Welch.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 62 years, Sarah Lillie Swain; children, Rene’ Davis (Jerry), Lisa Gaskin (Thomas), Patrick Welch, and Quana Mayo (Martin); grandchildren, Jeramy Richards (Deniz), Christopher Davis (Hannah) Lindsay Davis, Lauren Davis, Dylan Welch (Jessica), Evan Beard, Breanna Weeks, (Cade), Kelli Gaskin, Jennifer Vogt (Nathan), and Amy Bucholtz (Kris); and 11 great-grandchildren.