Gloria Heard Welch
Evans, GA – Gloria Heard Welch, 89, loving wife of Henry G. Welch, entered into rest on Monday, October 21, 2013.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at Warren Baptist Church Chapel with Dr. David H. McKinley officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Gloria was born September 13th, 1924 in Wilkes County and spent her life in Augusta, GA where her parents owned and operated Heard’s Dairy. She graduated from Tubman High School, and continued her education at Hurst Business College. For many years she was an active member of Warren Baptist Church.
Henry and Gloria were married on September 5, 1943 in Augusta. They recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with family at her daughter and son-in-laws home in Birmingham, AL where they lived in Somerby Retirement Community.
Gloria was a loving mother to Vicki and Jan, and loved their husbands, Spencer and Rich, as her sons. She most enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially as the family grew with the addition of three grandsons, Adam, Daniel, and Micah, their spouses and children. She enjoyed gardening and spending time outside, especially in her swing.
She is survived by her husband Henry G. Welch, daughters Vicki (Spencer) Beckum, Lincolnton, GA, Jan (Rich) Mandes, Birmingham, AL; grandsons Adam (Nicole) Beckum, Evans, GA, Daniel (Kassie) Beckum, Augusta, GA and Micah Mandes, Birmingham, AL; great-grandsons Kyle, Elijah and Landen; one sister Christine Heard Whitehead, Stone Mountain, GA; sisters-in-law Doris Heard and Martha Heard, both of Augusta, GA, Mae (John) Roberts, Chapin, SC, and Faye Hayden, Appling, GA. Predeceased brothers are R.C. (Bobby) Heard and E.L. (Leonard) Heard.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the church.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to Warren Baptist Church in c/o of their Senior Ministries, 3208 Washington Road, Augusta, GA 30907 or the American Lung Association, 818 Saint Sebastian Way, Augusta,GA 30901.