Betty Louise Welch

Betty Louise Gerald Welch was born to John William Gerald Jr. from Buckingham, Florida and Elizabeth Mae Kight, from New Jersey. Her life began in North Fort Myers, Florida, on October 12, 1934.  Louise was the eldest of three, two brothers followed; Robert Gerald and John Gerald.   

Louise went to school and graduated from Fort Myers Senior High School, class of 1952.

She enjoyed working as a Model, for women’s department stores. Oh, how she loved clothes and style. 

Later, she worked for her Uncle, at Newell Hogan’s Men’s Store, where she met the love of her life,

Thomas Martin Glazier.  They met when she was ­­18 years old.  They were the first couple to wed in the First
United Methodist Church Chapel on 4/18/1954 in Fort Myers.

The couple purchased a home and resided in North Fort Myers. They had 2 children, Richard Alan Glazier (Welch)

and Lisa Glazier (Welch) Renshaw.  Unfortunately, Tom was taken early in life, at the age of 29.

Despite the challenges, Louise faced life head on. 

Louise remarried, a few years later (1963), to Homer T. (Pete) Welch III.  Together they had a daughter, Mercedes Suzanne (Welch) Sellers.

Louise loved to horseback ride, swim, water-ski, fish and SEW!!  She could sew without patterns… Like crazy!

When all her children were in school, Louise started school to become an LPN. After graduating she worked at the Fort Myers Nursing Home and Lee County Hospital.  Within a few years again, went back to school to become an RN and received a Bachelor of Science degree.  Louise was ALWAYS studying! She loved her job and the people she met on her journey. 

Late in 1979, Louise and Pete moved from Florida to Fairview, Ok.  Pete began his new life journey with Phillips Petroleum, as a Land Man.   Louise worked for Fairview Fellowship Home and Alva Share Medical Hospital.

In 1980-81, the lay-offs began.  Luckily, Phillips Petroleum transferred Pete to their Oklahoma City office. This was their home until 2011.  Pete passed in March 2006.  Louise then sold her home and moved to Beaver, Oklahoma to be near her daughter and grandchildren. 

Louise’s journey of life was filled with family activities, births of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, travel & a cruise to see Alaska.  Louise was a very caring & giving person to all her family and friends.

When Dementia started to steal her away, Louise moved into the Beaver County Nursing home where she resided for 5 years.  Our Sister, Mom, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Aunt and Friend went to be with our Lord on April 6, 2023, at the age of 88.

Louise is preceded in death by her parents John & Elizabeth (Betty); her Husband’s Tom & Pete;  Daughter Mercedes; Brother Robert (Bob);

Her memory is carried on by her brother John & (Alicia) Gerald; children Richard Alan & (Althea Gordon) Welch, Lisa & (Randall) Renshaw; grandchildren Alexandra & (Kevin) Wang, Brandon & (Nikki) Renshaw, Jared & (Taylor) Ibison, Maribeth & (Keith) Wingfield, Ryan Renshaw & (Nichole), Colton Sellers, Joshua Gordon; great-grandchildren, Raynie, Jaxon, Everleigh, Pate, Jace. Niece, Nephew, grand-niece, grand-nephew and great-grand nephews.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.           John 11 25-26