Rev. Evelyn L. Welch

Rev. Evelyn L. Welch, 91, of Indianapolis, passed away May 2, 2016. Evelyn was born June 19, 1924 in Corwith, Iowa to the late Earl and Anna Smith. She was Secretary to the Rev. Frank Smith and graduate of Open Bible College, Des Moines, Iowa, where she met and later married Rev. Robert G. Welch, her beloved husband of 60 years. Impassioned with a vision, Evelyn and Bob followed their calling to Liberia, West Africa, to begin a journey of 27 years as missionaries! Evelyn’s courage and faithfulness as a wife, mother and teacher was unsurpassed – being left alone for weeks many times as Bob trekked into the jungle to bring the Light of Christ to those who had never heard. Evelyn’s passion was for the children who would literally gather at her feet as she taught them of Jesus and inspired them with songs. Evelyn never knew a stranger. She loved baking cookies laced with love for her neighbors, inviting them to Church and picking up those who had no ride. Evelyn’s life was exemplary of Jesus in every way! She visited and prayed for the sick and dying. She lifted up the discouraged and brought healing to the brokenhearted. She was patient and kind. She exuded love. She was a peacemaker. She knew how to pray on her knees before God and intercede! Evelyn had an unshakeable faith that God would always provide – whatever they needed! And God did! She loved to write poetry. She never forgot a birthday, an anniversary, a special occasion in someone’s life. In later years, Evelyn and Bob pastored a church in Indianapolis. She then became caregiver to Mary Hogan, Michael Labraico, and to a dear friend, Barbara Burk until they passed on. She was loved, respected and trusted by all who knew her. No one left her presence quite the same! Her grandchildren were always her priority and her own children learned to honor God through the example of a mother whose calling was to serve! Our entire family rises up today to honor her and “call her Blessed!!” Her beautiful Presence will be missed deeply! Visitation will be Thursday, May 5, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at East Rawles Church of God, 9801 Rawles Avenue with funeral services Friday at 1:00 p.m. Evelyn is survived by her devoted children, Connie Dunaway (Rev. Russ), Sherry Moore (Rev. Tom), Lynn Tofts and John Welch, U.S. Navy, Ret. (Teresa); son-in-law, Kevin R. Tofts; loving grandchildren, Tommy, Michael, Scott and Tim Moore; Jamie Dunaway; Drew, Jana, Brook and Stephen Welch; Jonathan, Benjamin, Michael and Matthew Tofts; great-grandchildren, Simon, Ella, Ian, Kayla, Kirsten, Brooke, Braelyn, Issac, Daniel, Elliott and Kai; and siblings, Bob Smith, Marian Albert, LaVeta Olsen and Rev. Ray Smith. Evelyn’s beloved husband of 60 years, Rev. Robert G. Welch; and siblings, Margaret Cooper, Bill Smith, Clayton Smith and Don Smith, preceded her in death - as did her precious grandson, Eric Dunaway. Memorial contributions may be made to Love Liberia Missions, P.O. Box 926, Crystal Springs, MS 39059 and/or Gulf of Guinea Missions, P.O. Box 14164, Oklahoma City, OK 73113.

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Rev. Evelyn L. Welch

June 19, 1924 - May 2, 2016