Anna R. (Ann) Welch passed away Friday, February 28, 2025 at Boone Hospital. Ann was born July 16, 1935 to Arthur Robinson and Hazel Olivia (Wisdom) Jones. She graduated from Paris High School in 1953.
 Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 7, 2025 at Fenton-Kendrick Funeral Home in Centralia. Burial will follow at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville.
 Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at the funeral home.
 On October 24, 1954 she was united in marriage to Alvin D. Welch at the First Baptist Church in Centralia, MO. They made their home in Centralia until 2016 when they moved to Tiger Place Assisted Living Facility in Columbia, MO. They celebrated 67 years of marriage prior to his passing in November 2021. Along with her husband Al, Ann was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather, Pearl Armstrong, a brother, Jay D. Jones, two brothers-in-law, Dick Mahon and Mel Goe and one nephew, Brent Robinson Jones.
 She is survived by her two children, Randy Welch and Deanna Lincoln (Mike) all of Centralia, MO as well as two grandchildren, Andrew Lincoln of Kansas City, MO and Ryan Lincoln of Columbia, MO, three sisters, Wanda Goe of Ashland, MO, Lou Mahon of Hender­son, KY and Elaine Berndt (Jim) of Goose Creek, SC, one sister-in-law, Debbie Jones of Columbia, MO, as well as several nieces and nephews.
 She worked in various departments of A.B. Chance Company/Hubbell Inc for 33 ½ years, retiring in March 1995 at the same time as her husband. She then sold tours for Show Me Tours for several years where she and Al joined many of the trips, including a month-long trip to Alaska and a trip to Germany where Al was stationed in the Army. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Centralia, MO for many years.
 She loved to paint and gifted many paintings to her family, which were very dear to her. She and Al were very attentive grandparents, including many trips to Branson, attending all school activities such as Quiz Bowl, golf matches, basketball, football and baseball games. Ann was a people person and made friends everywhere she went and therefore leaves behind many dear friends and colleagues, as well as the entire staff at Tiger Place Assisted Living Facility who cared for her with great love and kindness.
 Ann was a loving and caring wife, mother and Nana, who would do anything for her family which she loved dearly and unconditionally until her death.
 In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to “The Centralia Public Schools Foundation”. These donations will be used for the advancement of fine arts throughout the Centralia School District and may be sent in care of Fenton-Kendrick Funeral Home, 104 S. Collier St. Centralia, MO 65240.
 Online condolences may be left at www.fentonkendrickfh.com