Norma Joyce Welch

Norma Joyce Welch, 88, passed into the loving embrace of the Lord on June 17, 2021, at her home in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Norma was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas on November 20, 1932. Norma was the daughter of Cecil Norman “Norm” Thomas and Edna Camille Puckett. Her younger brother, Gerald “Jerry” Dwayne Thomas predeceased Norma, having passed from scarlet fever when he was only 21.

Norm and Edna moved their family to Berkley, Michigan. When Norma went to kindergarten that year, she met her future husband, Nelson Brown. They were just six years of age. Following graduation from high school, Norma and Nelson married and eventually settled in Littleton, Colorado where they raised their three daughters, Cheryl, Diane and Linda. All three daughters graduated from Arapahoe High School and Colorado State University.

Throughout her life, Norma was an active member of the Baptist Church. In the early 1980’s, Norma joined Applewood Baptist Church (“ABC”) in Wheat Ridge, where she led a women’s bible study group for many years. Norma met her second husband, Bill Welch, in Sunday School at ABC. Together, they were part of an ABC monthly share group that met for potluck and prayer. Norma opened her home regularly to host the group, as well as many other social events for the church.

Because Bill was an Assistant United States Attorney, Norma developed a keen interest in criminal law. She elected to return to school, and in 1994, Norma earned an undergraduate degree in criminal justice and criminology, summa cum laude, from Metropolitan State College. She was very proud of returning to earn her degree later in life and having excelled scholastically.

In 2007, Norma moved into Wind Crest Senior Living Community. Norma’s beautiful countenance and sweet spirit endeared her to both residents and staff at Wind Crest and she was soon asked to serve as an Ambassador for the community. In 2008, Norma helped found the Evangelical Sunday Evening Christian Fellowship at Wind Crest, and she served on the Leadership Team. Today the Fellowship boasts a membership of over 150 residents. . Norma was also often asked to pose for marketing videos for the community. She also posed as a model for Talbots fashion shows.

One of the greatest joys in Norma’s life was being a grandmother. Together she and Bill shared six grandchildren. Three of the six, Rylee, Myles and Jayde, were raised in Colorado. This allowed Norma to be intimately involved in their lives. She attended school programs, parties, and fundraisers, participated in the classrooms, and is still remembered for winning the 4th grade Grasshopper Eating Contest at the middle school. Norma was so well known amongst students and staff she was asked to be the guest speaker for Grandparents Day at Denver Christian Schools. She was often seen around the local and out of state hockey rinks and horse shows, where she cheered on her two grandsons, the hockey players and her granddaughter, the equestrian. Although Bill’s daughters and grandchildren lived in other states, Norma remained close to the families and always stayed up to date with John, Josh and Emily’s activities. Everyone looked forward to the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving together in Larkspur, Colorado.

Norma is survived by daughters, Cheryl Brown of New Mexico, Diane Brown of Florida, and Linda J. Brown of Colorado; stepdaughters, Amy Rockey of Kansas and Sara (Brian) Williams of Missouri; three grandchildren, Rylee Justus, Myles Justus and Jayde Justus; and three step-grandchildren, John Rockey, Josh Rockey and Emily Williams. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Nelson, and second husband, Bill.