Robert and Georgia Taylor Welch Tribute, Union, LA submitted by: Hazel Welch Craig ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ A TRIBUTE TO: ROBERT AND GEORGIA TAYLOR WELCH: By: Mrs. Violet Lann A MOTHER'S STORY HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY: It's hard to believe when you drive up to Georgia Welch's home that seventy-four children have been reared or sheltered within its walls. Mr. And Mrs. Robert Welch were married December 26, 1932, by Miles Faust, Justice of the Peace, in his home at Weldon. The marriage was witnessed by Mrs. Faust and Ernest Lee Glover. Miss Georgia Taylor was the daughter of William and Clara Brazzel Taylor. Her paternal grandparents were Fannie Barber and George Taylor from Hebron and Summerfield. Her mother's parents were Mattie Roach and Joe Brazzel. She is also related to the Thurmons and Browns who live in and around Weldon. Mr. Robert Welch's parents were Myrtle Halleman and Robert Walker Welch, Sr.,from Three Creeks, AR. His maternal grandparents were Joel and Mattie Colvin Halleman and the Welch Grandparents were Lawrence Hawkins Welch and Mary Hazel Greer Welch. Mr. Robert and Mrs. Georgia Welch had six children and two adopted sons. Their children are: James Robert of El Dorado, Ar.; twin daughters, Mrs. Maye Williams and Mrs. Faye Ulmer, both of Shreveport; the late Mrs. Bertha McClung of Shreveport; John G. Welch of Crossett, AR.; George Welch of Farmerville; and Tommy Allen Welch of Bernice, who came to the Welch's when he was one week old and was adopted when he was 11 years old. Another adopted son, Todd Welch Tiller is still at home with Mrs. Welch. When asked why in the world she and Mr. Welch wanted foster children in their home, Mrs. Welch said that when they began all but two of their children had married and she and her husband both had such a deep desire to help children. Their first three foster children came in June of 1956. They were Phyllis and George Lawrence Foster and James Higdon. She said she and Mr. Welch worked together to care for the children. He was employed by Bernice Wood Co. As a timber estimator and was in and out of the house depending on how busy they were. He raised two big fields of vegetables which they used to feed the children and share with their neighbors. They had five deep freezers which they filled every summer. It seemed none of the children had been used to a lot of food and they really enjoyed home-cooked meals. Mr. And Mrs. Welch prepared breakfast together and the entire family came to the table. They sat down together and always said a blessing. Mrs. Welch and the other children prepared the evening meal. The older ones wanted to learn to cook, especially corn bread. She said it seemed they had not had it before. Another family activity was family worship. They always read scripture and the children took turns praying, one child per night. They all knelt to pray. One day, the preacher at Weldon called on Jeremy Vogel to pray. The other boys at church were amazed because Jeremy prayed before the entire church and had not acted timid. One affirmation of the continuing influence of family worship happened after two of the boys, Clarence and John Harper, went back to their mother. The mother wrote Mrs. Welch saying, her boys came home and told about kneeling to pray. She said it had been many a day since she had knelt to pray, but her heart was touched and she continued to have prayer with her boys. Mrs. Welch said that when the children first came to them, they had no self-esteem. Some had serious problems one had killed his dad, some had drug problems. Most were unhappy and many had been abused. Most felt they were "sorry", had been "sorry" and always would be "sorry". She said most had never had anyone to hug them close, kiss sore fingers or bandage hurt knees. She said she did a lot of bragging and gave lots of compliments. She said the children loved her and her husband, who died in 1989. They cared about the house and keeping it tidy and the work done. They went to school, to church, to revivals and many became church members while in the Welch home. Many were determined to have a Christian home and keep their children in their home. She has heard from many who have done just this. She also said they never "run down" their parents because in foster homes the idea is to return the child to their original family. This was hard to do but God gave them the strength as they needed it. Her advice to mothers and dads is "to show your love to your children. They need a lot besides food and clothes. They need to know they are loved." She summed up her calling as a mother by saying that being a Christian and doing things that God called her to do made her days of motherhood happy days. She also thinks that God gave her an extra amount of love so she could share it. We talked about her future and she told me about Todd, their last foster child who still lives at home. They got him from Ruston State School when he was 10. He is now 30. Mrs. Welch said Todd is mildly mentally challenged, but is smart in so many ways. He is the custodian at Weldon Baptist Church. His pride and joy is a certificate of appreciation the church presented him on his birthday several years ago. She said she has had a good life and is happy. She remembers losses; the death of Mr. Robert; the death of daughter, Bertha McClung, who she said was "too sweet to live on this Earth"; as well as the loss of foster children, Linda Minor and Michelle Pardue, after they left the Welch home. The death of Linda was especially poignant. She became ill with a brain tumor while with the Welch's and Mrs. Welch promised to stay by her side. As Linda was dying, Mr. And Mrs. Welch went to be with her family and Mrs. Welch was holding Linda's hand when she went to be with the Lord. (Linda was best friends with our daughter, Merri-Leigh.) Mrs. Welch once said that she and Mr. Welch kept children because they made them feel so young. Mrs. Welch is still "young" at heart. She walks with a limp, has gray hair,but does not let age defeat her. This woman who mothered 74 children is a model of love and patience. Surely her children everywhere must "rise-up and call her blessed," as do those of us who admire her from afar. Happy Mother's Day, Mrs. Welch! By: Violet Lann. NOTE: Mrs. Georgia Welch is now residing at the Pinecrest Nursing Manor at Bernice, La. She never fully recovered from Knee replacement a few years ago. It is my understanding that, at the request of one of her daughters, the road, (Chip Mill), that turns off Highway Alt. #2 beside the Robert Welch home place has recently been renamed the ROBERT WELCH RD. in their honor. Submitted by: Hazel Welch Craig, Camden, TN. Permission from Mrs. Violet Lann February 2003. February 14, 2003 Happy Valentine Day Miss Georgia and Mrs. Lann. Robert Welch was my father's first cousin and I've known Miss Georgia since we both rode the same school bus when I was in the first grade of school at Bernice. I love her dearly and Wish her the BEST.