Mary Welker

BELL CITY, Mo. -- Mary E. Welker, 79, of Bell City died Monday, Jan. 1, 2007, at her home.

She was born Feb. 5, 1927, at Avert, Mo., daughter of William B. and Eartie Hammond Henson. She and William A. "Bill" Welker were married April 29, 1967, at Oran, Mo.

Welker lived near Bell City most of her life, and was a member of Life Tabernacle Church.

Survivors include her husband; a son, Jimmie Henson of Oran; two daughters, Shirley McClard and Sammie Elliott of Jackson; a brother, Samuel Henson of Advance, Mo.; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, and three sisters.

The funeral was held Thursday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Mo. The Rev. Delbert Bishop officiated. Burial was in Gravel Hill Cemetery near Aquilla, Mo.