Jeffie Harrison Welch, age 91, of Fayetteville, TN. born October 3, 1918 passed away July 21, 2010 after a brief illness. A lifelong resident of Lincoln County, she was preceded in death by parents, Thomas Garland and Ola Mai West Harrison, four brothers, Everette, Elbridge, Wyatt and Billy Harrison, three sisters, Julia Simms and Hilda Gray all of Fayetteville and Elizabeth Blankenship of Nashville. She married Roy Herman Welch on October 20, 1956 and moved to the Welch family farm near Petersburg, TN on March 7, 1957 into the home built for them after their marriage. They made their living primarily from the farm where Herman was a partner with his father Jim Welch, his brother Lacy Welch, and his brother-in-law Howard Thompson. Herman died December 5, 1982. Jeffie sold her remaining interest in the farm in December of 1985 and moved back to Fayetteville in the home she resided in until her death. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Fayetteville where she sang alto in the choir for many years. She was also an active member of the church’s “YY” group.
Survivors include a daughter Debra Welch Terrell and her husband Charles Terrell Jr of Madison, AL, son Rex Welch and his wife Lynne Bogardus Welch of Franklin, TN,, four grandsons Elliott Harrison Terrell and Eric Garvie Terrell both students at Auburn University, Robert Harrison Welch and James Tanner Welch of Franklin, 11 nieces, 8 nephews, numerous other relatives and friends. She was the last survivor of her generation of both the West and Harrison families.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday July 24, 2010 at 3:00PM at the First Baptist Church, 210 N. Elk Ave, Fayetteville, TN with Rev. Van Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Old Orchard Cemetery in Petersburg, TN. Visitation with the family will be Friday July 23rd from 5-8PM at Higgins Funeral Home, 213 E. Market St, Fayetteville, TN, and Saturday July 24th from 1 till 3 PM at the Fayetteville First Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund. Those serving as pallbearers will be Danny, JE , Joe, Stanley and Tommy Harrison, Elliott and Eric Terrell, Gary Tipps, Carl, Harrison, Kevin and Tanner Welch.