Shirley Wayne Welch, 96

June 8, 1930 – August 28, 2026

Shirley Wayne Welch, 96, went to meet her Lord on August 28, 2026 while her children were gathered around her bed and singing her home. She was a resident at Baptist Desoto Health Care, Southaven. Shirley was born on June 8, 1930, in New Albany, MS. She graduated from Dumas High School in 1948.

Shirley married Benjamin Troy Welch on August 10, 1951. This union was blessed with a daughter and a son. Shirley was a loving mother who was very much present in her children’s lives. She was the manager of Casual Corner at Southland Mall, Memphis, for many years and known for her sense of style and how she treated each customer with value. Many customers would request her assistance and opinion in what they would choose to purchase. Shirley’s love for the Lord was evident in the life she lived. She enjoyed sharing her faith every opportunity she could. She was a member of Colonial Hills Baptist Church for over 30 years. She was a member of the Jubilee Singers Choir and would load the church bus to go sing and minister to nursing homes in Desoto County and Memphis. Second to her love for the Lord was her deep passionate love for her family. Whenever she could be with all the members of her precious family, her day was complete. She was known for her awesome cooking skills, her talented seamstress expertise, and her super green thumb ability that kept her yard beautiful. If she was not sharing her faith, she was sharing stories of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Shirley was preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, Troy on June 17, 2011.

Shirley was survived by her daughter, Ronna Ryan (Roger), and son, Bud Welch (Mary), 6 granddaughters, Emily Marie Beitz (Steve), Lesley Erin Marcantel (Jeb), Elizabeth Ann Ryan, Tandy Grandstaff (Tim), Tonee Hoff (Kyle), Tatti Anna Pavona (Andrew), 15 great grandchildren, Ryan and Brayden, Lauren and Matthew, Braxton and Sloane, Cobe, Cayden, and Syndell, Grant, Pierce, Sawyer, Brody, Hudson, and Conner.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 5, beginning at 11:00am at United Funeral Service with the service at 12:00 noon. The family will gather for a graveside at Glenfield Cemetery.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” Psalm 116:15

Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.

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