Don Welch

The Rev. Franklin Donald Welch, 92, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on March 16, 2025, after a lifetime of faithful service to Jesus Christ.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Pearson Welch and Nannie Crisp Welch, Bryson City, N.C.; his sister, Beatrice Welch Clark, Newport News, Va., and his wife, Doris Salley Welch, originally from Roxboro, N.C. He is survived by his daughters, Debbie (J.T.) Anglin, Ocean Springs, MS; Donna (Al) Burkett, Grand Bay, AL.; grandchildren, Jennifer (Gentry) Williams, Pascagoula, MS; Heather Wood, (fiancé Michael Webb) Pensacola, FL.; Noah Anglin, Gulfport, MS; great-grandson, Braxton Williams, Pascagoula, MS as well as nieces and nephews in Virginia and North Carolina.

Born on September 20, 1932, to Richard Pearson and Nannie Crisp Welch in a humble log cabin in Bryson City, N.C., Don grew up deep in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. At the age of one, he developed double pneumonia and nearly lost his life, had it not been for his mother’s knowledge of herbs and how to use them for medical purposes; and a doctor who was summoned by telegraph and arrived by horseback. Life was harsh—no running water, electricity, or even an outhouse. The log walls provided little protection against the bitter cold, and each winter, snow drifted into the cabin. Money and food were scarce, and in the devastating Great Flood of 1940, the Welch family watched helplessly as their home was swept away.

Survival depended on self-sufficiency. They ate what they could grow, catch, or hunt—using slingshots, bows and arrows, homemade fishing poles and eventually a BB gun. With no family vehicle, they walked everywhere. Christmas was simple: a few nuts and pieces of candy placed in a well-worn sock. During World War II, when nails were hard to come by, Don scavenged old boards with bent nails, carefully straightening and repurposing them. Without a radio or television, the family learned of the war’s end through the town telegraph.

From a young age, Don found joy in music, singing in a nearby church alongside his parents and sister, Beatrice. With no piano or organ, his father would use a pitch fork to set the key, and the family would sing in harmony. Their talent was soon recognized, and their group, The Singing Welches, was invited to perform at churches throughout the region.

Don’s life changed forever during a revival in April 1948 when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. Baptized in Alarka Creek, he later described that moment as the day he fell in love with Jesus and His word.

Unlike many of his teenage peers, Don listened intently in Sunday School, always asking questions. One day, his teacher decided to put his curiosity to good use, declaring, “You won’t keep your mouth shut, so you might as well be the teacher.” And just like that, Don was given his first opportunity to lead and teach.

After graduating sixth in a class of 75, Don sought a college he could afford. In 1951, he applied to the Apprenticeship School of Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company—despite never having seen a ship outside of newspapers or movie screens.

Don’s career began humbly, with a starting wage of just 96 cents an hour at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company. As part of his apprenticeship, he trained in every aspect of shipbuilding, from welding and pipefitting to electrical and structural hull design. This hands-on experience proved invaluable when he was later tasked with overseeing massive naval projects. His keen attention to detail led him to uncover critical structural flaws—defects that, had they gone unnoticed, could have endangered countless naval personnel at sea.

His expertise earned him prestigious opportunities, including designing the flight deck of the USS John F. Kennedy and obtaining top security clearance to contribute to the U.S. Navy’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise.

During his time at the Apprentice School, fate intervened when he met Doris Salley—his sister Bea’s spirited redheaded roommate. It took him some time to summon the courage to ask her out, but once he did, their connection was undeniable. One of their early dates was at a Youth for Christ meeting, where Doris made a life-changing decision to accept Jesus as her Savior. By November of 1954, Don had purchased an engagement ring and proposed at one of their favorite restaurants. On January 20, 1955, they were married – a union that lasted 69 years!

Their love story blossomed into a family with the arrival of their first daughter, Debbie, in 1959—a time when hospital rules forbade fathers from staying during childbirth. Excited beyond measure, Don proudly brought his newborn home. In his eagerness, he gently carried Debbie inside… and forgot to help Doris out of the car. She was less than amused! Their second daughter, Donna, was born in 1961, completing their family, affectionately known as “The Four D’s”—Don, Doris, Debbie, and Donna.

In 1970, Don made the bold decision to relocate his family to New Orleans, Louisiana to work at Avondale Shipyard—a move met with resistance from his wife, children, and even colleagues. A year in the city confirmed what they had all suspected: it wasn’t the right fit. He transitioned to Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi and worked with several other shipbuilding companies during his career. In 1997, he retired from Avondale Shipyard—only to briefly return to Ingalls before officially retiring a second time.

The Welches found their spiritual home at Belle Fountain Baptist Church, where they remained active members for more than 50 years. On February 9, 2011, the church honored Don with a Certificate of License to the Gospel Ministry, officially granting him the title of “Reverend” and the privilege of officiating weddings and funerals. He also faithfully served in the pulpit on numerous occasions and served as choir director when needed.

Among his many roles, Don found great joy in teaching the Faith/Grace Believers Sunday School class, a group he lovingly called “the best class he ever taught.” On October 10, 2021, after 70 years of teaching, he led his final lesson. In recognition of his unwavering commitment, his class presented him with a plaque reading:

"Presented to Bro. Don Welch for His Loyal Service to our Lord and Savior for the Past 70 Years."

Don treasured this plaque, not for the words of praise about him, but for what it represented. “It’s not about me,” he often said. “It’s about my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit that took a little ol’ hillbilly boy—one who nearly died in his first year of life on planet Earth —and taught him to love and study God’s Word and make it a plain as possible to those who care to hear it. Understand, that I am not the teacher. The HOLY SPIRIT is the teacher. I’m just HIS mouth piece.”

The family wishes to thank the staff at The Retreat Hospice by Saad, for their incredible, loving care for Don in his final days.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Belle Fountain Baptist Church, Ocean Springs, followed by the funeral at noon and interment in the church cemetery.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Franklin Welch.