Clarence Welch, 84, of Cherokee, went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday May 8, 2018. A lifelong resident of Cherokee, he was the son of the late Theodore Anthony “Tony” and Hattie Welch.
A U.S. Navy veteran, he was a member of Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post 143. He was a member and Deacon at Cherokee First Baptist Church and was an avid fly fisherman and ham radio operator. He loved technology and oil painting.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Louise Sneed Welch; one daughter, Deborah E. Welch; one son, Anthony Vincent “Tony” Welch (Shannon) of Sylva; two granddaughters, Julianna and Rebecca; sisters-in-law; Patsy Lambert and Carla Bellew; brother-in-law, Skipper Sneed; and he was a beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held 11am Friday, May 11 at Cherokee First Baptist Church with the Rev. Percy Cunningham officiating. The family will be receiving friends Thursday evening from 6 – 8pm at Appalachian Funeral Services in Sylva. Burial will be in the Henry Lambert Family Cemetery in Birdtown.