Elizabeth Welch Obituary

Elizabeth Welch PELZER, SC - Elizabeth Dilling Welch, widow of Carl Whitby Welch, Jr., died August 21, 2013, leaving behind four children, seven grandsons and two great-grandchildren. Elizabeth, 88, had been in declining health for several years but remained active and involved in her family, church, and community. Mrs. Welch had a long career as an employee of the federal government, spending that entire career working in Charleston, SC, and eventually retiring from the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Following her retirement, she worked with prominent Charleston attorney, Ms. Nancy Hawk, Esq. and other attorneys as an immigration consultant. Mrs. Welch was the only child of Thomas Wayne Dilling and Ruby Hord Dilling, and was born and grew up in Gastonia, NC. She attended Flora McDonald College, a women's College in Red Springs, NC during WWII and graduated with a degree in business. After WWII, she and Carl Whitby Welch, Jr., her childhood sweetheart, were married and started a family. The family moved to Charleston, SC in the mid-fifties, before eventually moving to the Pelzer area due to Carl's health. They were married for fifty three years until his death in 1999; but Elizabeth considered them married forever and her final count was 67 years. Mrs. Welch is survived by her children Holly Welch Durham and her husband, Dan Durham, Stan Welch, Mark Welch, and Leslie Welch White and her husband Dan White. She had seven grandsons whom she adored; Berry Durham and his wife, Susan, Zeke Durham, Adam Durham, Zack White, Lucas Welch, Kaleb White and his wife, Kristen, and Jake White. Noel Durham and Brody Durham were her beloved great-grandchildren. Mrs. Welch was predeceased by a daughter, Carla Ann Welch. Mrs. Welch was a dedicated bridge player and an active member of the Williamston Presbyterian Church. She was a lifelong Republican. Visitation will be held from 1:00 - 3:00 pm on Friday at the Williamston Presbyterian Church. The funeral service will follow at 3:00 pm at the church with Rev. Aaron Ochart officiating. A committal service will be held on Saturday at 11am at Oakwood Cemetery in Gastonia, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Williamston/Pelzer Presbyterian Food Bank, P.O. Box 38, Williamston, SC 29697 or to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 285, Anderson, SC 29622 or to Interim Hospice, 155 Deacon Tiller Ct., Duncan, SC 29334. The family is at the home of Dan and Holly Durham, 131 Campbell Rd., Pelzer. Gray Mortuary, Pelzer is in charge of arrangements. Condolences: www.graymortuary.com Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston