Anthony Dirk Welch, 58, of Laurel, MS, passed away on Monday, September 14, 2020, at his residence. He was born on February 13, 1962, in Pensacola, FL, and was lovingly adopted by Hugh and Eva Welch of Laurel.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2020, at Union Line Cemetery in Soso, MS, at 11:00 a.m. Bro. Eddie Bryant will be officiating.
Anthony always said he loved God, family, and his country, and he was willing to fight for all of that. He was a 1980 graduate of Northeast Jones High School. After high school, he served for 3 years with the 82nd Airborne Division and 3 years with the Army National Guard. He graduated in 1994 from the A.D.N. program at JCJC and worked as a registered nurse at South Central Regional Medical Center for 15 years. He was passionate about nursing and was always willing to guide other nurses and serve as a mentor to them. He loved cooking, woodworking, turkey hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. Anthony was a member of Tuckers Crossing Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Denver Hugh Welch and Eva Howard Welch, and his brother, Thomas Lance Welch.
Anthony is survived by his wife of 35 years, Amy Royals Welch; daughter and son-in-law, Candis and Jeremy Carter; son, Anthony (Tony) Welch; and daughter, Emily Welch; all of Laurel, MS; two grandchildren, Noah and Peighton Carter of Laurel, MS; siblings-in-law, James and Kathy Royals of Mobile, AL; Joyce and Jeff Peters of Meridian, MS; and Stacy Royals of Mobile, AL. Other special survivors include his sister, Rebecca Welch of Alexandria, VA; cousin, Tracy and Lawrence Rabalais and their daughter, Maddie, of Tylertown, MS; and former brother-in-law, Dave Norris of Decatur, MS. He also leaves behind a host of loving nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be childhood friends, Joey Yelverton and Gary Bryant, nursing co-workers, Ron McAlpin and Vincente Moncivais, and close family friends, Jacob Carter and Jordan Chamberlin.
Our family would also like to send a special thank you to the medical staff at SCRMC, Dr. Joseph Proli and staff at the Heart Care Center, Dr. Mark Horne, Dr. Carolyn Cegielski and staff at Jefferson Medical Associates, Ochsner Medical Center of New Orleans, MS Home Care, and Deaconess Hospice for their utmost care and service during the last 10 years.
