Robert W. Welch, 80, of Tifton, formerly of Berrien County, died Thursday, September 13, 2007, at the residence of his son and daughter-in-law, Bobby and Thelda Welch. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 16, 2007, at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Berrien County. Rev. Nathan Spradley and Rev. Junior Swain will officiate with burial to follow in Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Berrien County. Charles Cook, Sammy Rogers, Charles Rogers, Shawn Pipkin, Eddie Kennedy and Steve Tyson will serve as pallbearers. The body will be placed in the church one hour before the service. The family will receive friends on Saturday, September 15, 2007, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mr. Welch was born on September 20, 1926 in Berrien County and was the son of Andy Welch and Pearl Rice Welch, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Laverne Norman Welch. He was a retired meat cutter and meat market manager and a member of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Berrien County. He was also a United States Army veteran of World War II and received the Bronze Star.
Mr. Welch is survived by two sons and one daughter-in-law, Bobby and Thelda Welch of Tifton, and Johnny Welch of Berrien County; one sister, Clara Mae Johns of Cottondale, Florida; three grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.