Averilee McLaurin Welch, retired Chief Probate Deputy for Hamilton County, Tennessee, who raised her children by quietly setting the example, and who was described by many as a true lady, died peacefully in Hospice care at her assisted living apartment The Bridge in Ooltewah, Tennessee on June 5th 2018. She was 93.
Mrs Welch was born Averilee McLaurin on April 10, 1923 in Soso, Mississippi. She spent her early years in Jones County, eventually attending college in Ellisville, Mississippi, and married Alcus Z. Welch in 1943. After her husband completed his Army duty in WWII, they lived in Columbia, MS, Bucks County PA, and Cleveland, OH where their two sons were born. After Alcus died in 1967, she and her sons moved to Chattanooga, TN where she attended and graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1970 with a BA degree in Education, with honors. She then became Chief Probate Deputy serving for 30 years before retiring in 2000. She was an active member of Brainerd Baptist Church, teaching youth Sunday School for many years.
She was preceded in death by parents Colin McLaurin and Elma Harper Flynt, brothers Douglas Rayborn and Rayford McLaurin, and husband Alcus Z. Welch. She is survived by sons John M. Welch and his wife MaryAlice of Easley, SC and Paul G. Welch and his wife Lisa of Shepherdstown, WV, sisters Imogene Collins of Jones County, MS and Glenda Duckworth of Smith County, MS, brothers Elbin McLaurin of Jones County, MS and Kenneth Rayborn of Cleveland, TN, and grandson David Welch of Marietta, GA.
A graveside service with family will be held at Big Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Jones County, MS.
Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com
Local arrangements by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Valley View Chapel, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
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