Dorothy Welch

Maumelle- Dorothy Jean Welch, 92, passed away on December 26, 2016, at Elmcroft Assisted Living Center in Maumelle. Mrs. Welch, 91, was born on August 14, 1925, at Otwell to the late Arthur Raguse and Elsie Steineger Raguse of Otwell. She was Valedictorian of the 1943 graduating class of Valley View High School, and a member of the Otwell Christian Church. She married the love of her life, Bill, on December 14, 1943, after a whirlwind courtship. "Puddin", as Bill affectionately called her, watched her husband ship out for WWII in January 1944, and promptly went to work on base in Pampa, Texas. She lived off what she earned and saved the money her sweetheart sent her that later allowed them to purchase their first mobile home. Dorothy Jean traveled with her husband and children, as Bill worked across the country until 1963, when she returned to Jonesboro. Dorothy and Bill lived there for 50 years where she was a mother/homemaker, business manager for the family farm, and active member of Otwell Christian Church. They were married for 70 years until Bill's death in 2014. Dorothy exemplified the biblical Proverbs 31 woman and was a wonderful cook, accomplished seamstress, loving and thoughtful wife, mother, caregiver and friend. She is survived by her four children, Sharon Welch-Blair (Robert), Little Rock; Jerry Welch (Barbara), West Memphis, Debra Welch-Marks, Houston, Texas, and Michelle Welch, Little Rock; eight grandchildren: Stephen Blair (Lisa), Wendy Blair, Jenifer Paschall (John), Jeremy Welch, Jonathan Welch (Pam), Christiana Marks, Colton Marks, Claire Marks and nine great-grandchildren: Jena and Samuel Blair, Jacque and Zachery Denley, Hannah and Luke Paschall, Abigail and Matthew Welch, and Aayden Heitzman; a sister, Agnes Gunter of Cherkee Village. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Hershel Raguse and a son-in-law, Mark Marks. A celebration of her life will be Friday, December 30, 2016, with visitation at 12 noon and service at 2 p.m. at the Gregg-Langford-Bookout Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jim Roberts officiating. Burial will follow at Keller's Chapel Cemetery. Lasting memorials may be sent to Kellers Chapel Cemetery c/o JD Lewis 707 Amberwood Cove, Jonesboro, Ark. 72401 or Otwell Christian Church 46 CR 221, Jonesboro, Ark. 72404. Online: www.mcnabbfuneralhomes.com.