Marvel Marie Welch

Marvel was born to Robert Ashby and Kerneater Thompson on May 1, 1942, in Des Moines, Iowa, and attended public schools there, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1960. On August 18, 1960, Marvel married Granville Welch. Eventually they became parents of two boys, Cameron E. Welch and Grant E. Welch. The family moved to Minnesota in 1973, then to Omaha for 44 years, prior to settling in Arizona in 2019.

Marvel was baptized into the Christian faith in 1967 at Union Baptist Church, Des Moines, and worshipped there as well as at Salem Baptist Church in Omaha. After years of part-time attendance, Marvel graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor of Professional Studies degree from Bellevue University, Omaha, Nebraska. She was an exceptional typist and was employed by several firms as an executive secretary. These included International Harvester Company, the State of Iowa, Pillsbury Company, Creighton University and Union Pacific Railroad. After serving five years as Affirmative Action Manager at Union Pacific, she retired in 2001.

During her retirement years, Marvel was active in civic activities in Omaha and served as president of the National Council of Negro Women-Omaha Chapter for three years. Marvel had an enduring interest in family activities and in cooking, as well as in traveling; she visited over forty of the states and especially loved Arizona, California and Florida. Day in and day out, Marvel loved listening to and dancing to Motown music. Diana Ross was her queen.

Marvel is survived by her husband, Granville E. Welch; two sons, Cameron E. Welch of Omaha and Grant E. Welch (Elaine Sallis) of Goodyear. She was blessed to have five siblings: Marvin Ashby of Des Moines, deceased; Kevin D. Sanders of Des Moines; Kerneater R. Scott (Blake) of Des Moines; Alex Kennedy Zavier Tuigong (Shaina) of West Des Moines; and Willard Sanders III of Des Moines. Marvel had two granddaughters, Marleeia Welch of Tempe, AZ, and Precious Mills of Omaha; a great-grandson, Ace Sneed; and many lovely extended family members and friends.

Marvel is predeceased by her mother, Kerneater R. Ashby of Des Moines and her father, Robert Ashby of Des Moines.

A visitation for Marvel will be held Tuesday, January 3, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Greenwood/Memory Lawn Mortuary, 719 North 27th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85009. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, January 3, 2023, from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM, 719 North 27th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85009. A graveside service will occur Tuesday, January 3, 2023, from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM, 719 North 27th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85009.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Greenwoodmemorylawn.com for the Welch family.