Virginia Lee Welsh

Virginia Lee Welsh

Virginia Lee Welsh, age 90, of Unionville, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, August 7, 2012. The daughter of Samuel H. and Mayme Belle (Mizell) Bishop, she was born November 5, 1922, at Churdan (Greene County), Iowa. Virginia grew up in Churdan, graduated from Churdan High School, and was a graduate of the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, Iowa.
On September 26, 1942, in Kansas City, Missouri, she married Emery H. Welsh and to this happy union one son, Stephen Woodrow, was born. They lived in Des Moines for a few years before moving to Unionville in the fall of 1946 where they operated the K. I. Miller Hatchery. They purchased the hatchery in 1948 and operated the Welsh Hatchery until 1962.
Virginia worked for Internal Revenue Service in Kansas City for about 5 years in the 1960’s while Steve was in college. She worked for P. W. Porter and N. William Phillips doing income tax work after that until she retired. She loved to help people. Some of her hobbies were garage sales and making quilts and giving them to family. She also loved collecting plates and other pretty dishes through the years. Virginia and Emery were honored to celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1992. She was an active member of First Baptist Church since 1949. She loved her church and was a member of the Baptist Women’s Missionary group, taught Sunday School, served as church treasurer and church clerk. She was a member of Unionville Chapter No. 62 O.E.S. and served as Worthy Matron in 1960 and District Deputy Grand Matron in 1975, and later Winigan #470 until it closed in 1999.
She is survived by her son, Steve, of Anchorage, Alaska. Also surviving is a sister-in-law, Monna Bishop of Dallas, TX, a brother-in-law, Paul Welsh of Lancaster, MO, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends, including Jeri Bush who “was like a daughter” to her. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, who died April 4, 2002, and a brother, Samuel Bishop. She was always thankful and grateful for the many blessings God bestowed on her through her life.
Funeral services for Virginia Welsh will be held at Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 11, 2012, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Frank Martin will conduct the service with musical selections “How Great Thou Art” and “Because He Lives” sung by Brenda Collins. Casket bearers will be Richard Stottlemyre, Danny Peto, Don Summers, Rick Stottlemyre, Jeff Harlan, and Rod Stottlemyre. Interment will be at the Unionville Cemetery, Unionville, MO.
Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church in Unionville and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.