E. A. Welch Jr.

E. A. Welch, Jr. -MAUK - E. A. Welch, Jr., age 81, of Mauk, Georgia died Thursday, January 18, 2007 at St. Francis Hospital, Columbus, Georgia. -Funeral services will be 3P.M. Saturday, January 20, 2007 at Trinity Freewill Baptist Church with burial in Trinity Cemetery, Taylor County, Georgia. The family will receive friends at Trinity Freewill Baptist Church in Taylor County, Georgia from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday. -Mr. Welch was born September 6, 1925 in Talbot County the son of the late Edmond A. and Mae Hill Welch. He graduated from Talbot County High School in 1942. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943 and served as Sgt. Section Leader as a machine gunner during WWII. He was part of two major battles, St-Lo and the Battle of the Bulge. He had severe frostbite to both feet and landed in a hospital in Paris, France for nine months. Upon returning home in 1945, he married long-time sweetheart Josephine "Phennie" Harbuck of Mauk, GA and they celebrated 61 years together last June. Mr. Welch received an Honorable Discharge that same year and awarded the Purple Heart with oak leaf clusters and two bronze stars. Mr. Welch took advantage of the GI Bill training and became a farmer. He was very active in the community: Farmer, 1950-1990; school bus driver 1960-1990; Board of Family and Children Services 16 years; Taylor County Commissioner six years; Gideon. In 1990 he was was promoted to Transportation Director of Taylor County Schools until November 8, 2000 while at work he was involved in an automobile accident which left him a paraplegic. With the help of God, his wife, sons, daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Mr. Welch came home after spending four months at the Sheppard Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta. Mr. Welch was a devoted member and deacon of Trinity Freewill Baptist Church for over 45 years, member of Masonic Lodge #14 Tazewell, Blue Lodge of Macon and was a 32 Degree Scottish Rite. -Survivors include his wife, Josephine Harbuck Welch of Mauk, GA; sons, David Welch and Carol of Mauk, GA; Billy Welch and Leisa of Butler, GA; daughters, Wanda Puente and Rick of Howard, GA; Alane Patterson and Billy of Reynolds, GA; brother Johnny Welch of Columbus, GA; eight grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. -Tante Funeral Home of Buena Vista in charge of arrangements.