Alice Welch Little

Alice Welch Little, age 49 of Oak Grove, LA, passed away on Tuesday, August 21, 2018.   She was born to Benjamin Welch, Sr. and Linda Welch on April 25, 1969 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Alice passed alongside her beloved parents and together the three ascended.

Before attending Lamar University, Alice was a Mighty Tarpon at South Cameron High School. There she excelled at basketball and enjoyed many other sports. She continued her support of the Tarpons for many years to follow, as both her daughters were Mighty Tarpons as well.

At Lamar University, Alice earned her degree in Respiratory Therapy, which allowed her to combine her academic skills with her innate nurturing personality to improve the quality of life for the great many patients in her care.

Alice first became a mother in 1994, when she welcomed daughter Katie and again in 1997 with the addition of daughter Mattie.

While Alice felt infinitely blessed to be called Mom, it was the arrival of Mattie’s son Quince, in 2016, that she was most proud to be called Maw Maw; as little Quince Thomas soon became the joy of Alice’s life.

As sometimes happens in life, Alice saved the best for last. For it was in recent years that she rekindled a long lost romance with Byron Thibeaux Sr., who would become the love of her life and her partner, as well as little Quince’s PaPop.

Alice was devoted. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, daughter and sister. She was a devoted aunt, partner and friend. She loved wholly and unconditionally, and welcomed every soul who crossed her path with open arms and heart. It wasn’t unusual for her to parent her girl’s friends as though they were her own children, feeding or clothing, supporting or disciplining as needed. She was generous to a fault and would happily go without so that others could prosper. To Alice, family was everything. Her greatest joy and pleasure was to be in the kitchen cooking up a pot of something surrounded by the ones she loved. She lived her life in service of her family.

Alice will be remembered as a great cook with a quick wit, wicked sense of humor and boundless intelligence. But above all she is remembered as a selfless mother.

Alice is survived by her daughter and son-in law, Katie and Nicolas Gorman; her daughter Mattie Little and grandson Quince Thomas Little; her life partner Byron Thibeaux ; her brothers Benjamin Welch Jr., Yancy Welch and Leslie “Rusty” Welch, and numerous precious nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at Johnson Funeral Home on Sunday, August 26, 2018 from 10AM to 10PM. Visitation will continue on Monday in the gymnasium of South Cameron High School from 10AM-1PM. Funeral services will follow at 1PM, in the gym, officiated by Pastor Melvin J. Yorks. Interment will follow at Rutherford Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.

The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Grand Chenier United Methodist Church, 2873 Grand Chenier Highway, Grand Chenier, LA 70643.