Hazel Welch

Mrs. Hazel Welch, 99, of Leachville, widow of Mr. Harvey Welch, passed from this life Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. Born in Rector, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Alonzo and Cora Simpson Taylor and had been a Leachville resident since 1937. She owned and operated Welch's Cafe on Main street in Leachville during the 1950s and was a well known seamstress, creating anything from cheerleading uniforms to wedding gowns.

Hazel was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Leachville.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sons, Bobby Joe Welch and Billy Gene Cox; two grandchildren, Billy New Jr. and Carol Ann New; three brothers; two sisters; and a son-in-law, Bob Roe.

She leaves two daughters, Laviece New and her husband, Bill, of Jonesboro, and Shirley Roe of Leachville;

Her grandchildren, Kyle and Barbara Roe, Terry and Randy Rose, Valerie and Bill Hall, Linda and Donnie Rogers, Resa and Joe Cunningham, Bobby Welch, Bill and Naomi Cox, Betty McCormick and Lila Sue Cox; and

Sixteen great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

A celebration of her long, wonderful life will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Leachville with the Rev. Doug Criss officiating. Burial will follow in Leachville Cemetery. The family will receive visitorsfrom 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be James Keith, Ronnie Kennett, Leon Swihart, Earl Smith, Randy Jackson and Tommy Eldried. The family prefers memorials be sent to the First United Methodist Church in Leachville. Friends may sign the online guest register @ www.HowardFuneralService.com