Born in September 1943, Barbara (a.k.a. Bobbie) was raised in Orange in a loving home with her parents and four sisters. Her parents gave each of the five “Roberts girls” nicknames and her nickname of Bobbie stuck with her through all these years. Bobbie was the 3rd of the five sisters. When asked, she’d always point out that she was only 10 minutes younger than her twin sister Beverly. Weekly Sunday gatherings at their mother’s house were the norm and Bobbie was fortunate that the sisters prioritize spending time together even today. Her sisters have been a great source of joy to her throughout her life.
Growing up, Bobbie was always sociable, active, and athletic. She received numerous merit awards in softball, volleyball, and cheerleading. During her senior year of high school, she served as head cheerleader and was elected homecoming queen. Not long after graduating, she started her career at DuPont where she successfully advanced and worked in numerous departments until her retirement.
While working at DuPont, she met a talented and handsome mechanic named Billy Welch who swept her off her feet when he asked her on a date after one of her volleyball games. Later that same year they married and became a family of four with Jane and Mark. Almost exactly one year later they became a family of five with Christy’s arrival.
Bobbie was an early role model for a working wife and mother who was also very active in her church community at First Baptist Church – Orange. She was a great lover of fun with a striking smile, a witty sense of humor, and a laugh that was contagious. Some of her fondest memories are of family gatherings and of family & church trips. Whether it was skiing, the beach, or Disney, she loved them all. When she decided to do something, she’d go all in. She also loved to read, coached Christy’s soccer team even though she never played, fed her love of exercise and dance at aerobics, taught 2nd grade Sunday school, chaperoned numerous church youth events and trips, and created a loving and nurturing home while working full-time. She truly dedicated herself to her husband, children, family, friends, church, and profession.
You can imagine that she embraced her role as “Mawmaw Bobbie” with energy and excitement when the grandkids began to arrive. She attended as many birthday parties, dance recitals, sports games, graduations, and family celebrations as she could. Being “Mawmaw Bobbie” allowed her to utilize her skills for cheerleading, support, and encouragement to the benefit of our family’s subsequent generations.
Bobbie leaves a legacy of love & devotion with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family. She always knew how to make us feel special and so very loved. We are blessed and grateful beyond measure to have had a woman with such a generous spirit to call our own.
Bobbie was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Billy Welch; parents, LC Roberts and Ruth Roberts; and sister, Cora Sue Burch.
She is survived by her children; Jane Welch Dyer and husband Ernie Dyer, of Orange; Mark Welch and wife Angie Welch, of Alba; and Christy Welch Doshi and husband Kishore Doshi, of Tomball; grandchildren, Dustin Dyer, Ashton Dyer Nottebart, Katie Welch, Cassidy Jones, and Chase Jones; great-grandchildren, Witten Dyer, Greyson Nottebart, Beckett Nottebart, and Madison Dyer; and sisters, Beverly Hanes, Peggy Carroll, and Brenda Coker.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 16, 2025, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Barry Bradley.
Visitation will begin prior to the service at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, February 16, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Barbara (Bobbie) Welch’s name to either of these organizations that held such a special place in her heart; the First Baptist Church – Orange Children & Youth fund at 7637 Martin Luther King Junior Dr, Orange, TX 77632, or the Orange County Aggie Moms Scholarship fund at https://www.txamfoundation.com/give.aspx.
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