Erma Lee Welton

Ava, Missouri

Erma Lee Welton, 91 years, 8 months, 5 days old, passed away on February 24, 2018, at her home with family and caretakers by her side.

Erma was born June 19, 1926, in Souder, Missouri, to Paul and Kitty Prock Gardner.  Erma was the oldest of five children and she loved dearly her siblings Leonal, Bethany, Kitty Rhea, and Landon.  Around 1940, Erma's family moved to Ava where she graduated from high school.  Erma worked at Ava Drug and Spurlock's Corner Store, social centers of the community.

On March 30, 1946, Erma and Hubert Welton were married. In addition to their road construction company, Erma and Hubert worked together on their farms and there was not a job too difficult for Erma to tackle.  Erma was a tireless worker and took extremely good care of her farm animals. In addition to farming, her sewing machine was constantly creating or her hands were crocheting.

Erma was generous, big hearted, and no one went hungry around her.  For years, family and friends gathered at her home for bountiful meals, and she quickly became famous for her cinnamon rolls and pies.  In later years, Erma and Hubert were loyal patrons at all the local eating establishments and Erma enjoyed long country drives and picnics at the creek. Erma loved blue-grass music and square dancing. Erma's Christian faith kept her strong through difficult times.

Erma is survived by her husband, Hubert of 71 years, children Huba Ann Ray and Gill Boyd Welton, and step-son Dwyane Welton. Grandchildren are Matt Ray, Natalie Cook, Emily Luna, Nicole Painter, Taylor Ray, Chelsey Welton, Alex Welton, and Gill Welton II. Great grandchildren are Eli, Emma, Emry Lee Cook and Charlie Ray in addition to many step-grand and step-great grandchildren. Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy and Grannie's was a place of comfort, fun, and happiness. Her nieces and nephews also held a special place in her heart.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, February 28, followed by funeral services at 2:00 at Ava Clinkingbeard Chapel with Oren Alcorn officiating. Burial will be in the Ava Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Ava Library or the Ava Chapter of Care to Learn.