Morris Wayne Welch

Morris Wayne Welch was born on July 2, 1932 near Seymour, Texas.He went home to heaven on July 9, 2018, a week after his 86th birthday.Today he is rejoicing with Jesus, whom he faithfully served throughout his life. Morris grew up in a loving Christian home on a farm near Seymour.He was the fourth of seven children and became a believer at an early age.Faithfulness, love of family, integrity, and hard work were values instilled in him from early childhood and which characterized him all of his life. Morris graduated from Midwestern State University in 1954, then served in the army.He went to work for Southland Life Insurance Company in Dallas, Texas in 1956.He met the love of his life through Sunday School at First Baptist Church, Dallas.Morris and Saleta were married at the waterfall on her family’s homeplace near Gainesville, Georgia August 18, 1957.They had three daughters and moved to Forney, Texas in 1965. He served God faithfully at First Baptist Church, Forney in several capacities, including Sunday School teacher, deacon, and treasurer. He was a devoted family man supporting his wife in her teaching career and many community organizations.He was a great dad to his girls, including Mary Jon Whittemore, who is like a fourth daughter in the family, being involved in their school and extra-curricular activities, and making time for family campouts and vacations. He worked hard for 34 years before retiring from Southland Life.After retirement, he enjoyed traveling with Saleta, going on golf and church trips, woodworking, gardening, and family get-togethers.He was a loving PaPa to nine grandchildren and enjoyed attending their sporting events and activities.A highlight of the year was hosting “Cousins’ Camp” for the grandkids.In later years, Morris became “Big PaPa” to 8 great-grandchildren.He was a true friend, making himself available to meet the needs of others.He leaves a legacy of faith and family. Morris is preceded in death by his parents Ernest Allison Welch and Eva Dodd Welch, brother Ernest A. Welch, Jr., sister Winnie Welch Peters, and sister Juanita Welch Hudson. He is survived by his wife of over 60 years Saleta Prince Welch, daughter Alison Welch Adkins and husband Carvan, daughter Sharon Welch Beall and husband Mark, daughter Jan Welch Skinner and husband Dan, grandchildren Kelly Adkins Willis and husband Trevor, Austin Adkins and wife Laurie, Stacy Adkins Manross and husband Chris, Bethany Beall Mills and husband Jason, Joseph Beall and wife Emily, Ethan Beall and wife Taylor, Danny Skinner, Matthew Skinner and wife Katie, Jamie Skinner Dunn and husband Kyle, great grandchildren Holli and Colton Dunn, Nathan and Luke Skinner, Archer and Margot Mills, Owen Beall, and Silas Manross, sisters Pat Welch Nichols and Anita Welch Montgomery, and brother James Welch.