Jessie Welch, 1934-2019

Jessie Freeman Welch, 85, of Babson Park passed away Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019 at Advent Healthcare in Lake Wales.

She was born April 4, 1934 in Fitzgerald, GA to the late Donald I. and Florita (Barnes) Freeman. She has been a resident of the area since 1996 coming from Auburndale. She was a seamstress and a member of the Babson Park Community Church. She was known for her southern cooking, especially her pecan pies, spice cakes and candy for the family and church functions. Jessie loved her family, cruising and fishing.

She is preceded in death by her husband James Albert Welch and daughter Sharon W. Anderson.

She is survived by her son Kenneth A. Welch and wife Ruthie of Babson Park, daughter Rita Slusher and husband Alan of Orlando, sisters Ruby Welch of Tallahassee, Alice Ross of MacClenny, five grandchildren: Charles Anderson and wife Neonta, Michael Anderson and wife Arlene, Michelle Heath and husband Trey, Donna Anderson, Marcus Slusher and wife April, one great grandchild Brianna Heath, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17 until service time at 3 p.m. at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home. Interment will be held at the Lake Wales Cemetery.