Linda Gayle Welch

Linda Gayle Welch, the Matriarch of the Welch Family, was called home to our Heavenly Father on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 alongside her husband of 55 years and her only daughter, Alice, at the age of 72. She was born to William Clyde and Lucille Pearce of Hackberry, La on December 3, 1945. She was born a twin with William Dale Pearce and was also the sister of Francis Gafford and James Pearce.

Linda’s life was a love story one could only dream of. It all began her senior year as a Mustang at Hackberry High School when she attended the Louisiana Fur and Wildlife Festival. There she was destined to be swooned by the one and only Benny Welch. There the journey began.

After graduating in May of 1963, the following August, Benny and Linda shared their vows and started building their empire. Linda gave birth to her first son, Benjamin Welch Jr., nine months later and would be followed by two more sons and one daughter: Yancy Welch, Alice Welch, and Leslie “Rusty” Welch. As the years pass, she would become the beloved grandmother of sixteen plus grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

Linda had a passion for antiques and decorated her home in different historical pieces as a show room for her business. Her pride for her prestige collection illuminated as she would tour guests through each room, explaining the story behind each piece. It never failed that she would come home with a new interesting treasure, determined to justify to “Paw Paw” why she needed it. The Welch household was by far the most historical, yet uniquely, decorated home in Cameron Parish.

Linda was well known for her kind soul and, especially, her beauty. Naturally, she outshined everyone with her stunning features. Between tearing up the dance floor at every event she would attend, to hosting family get togethers, her vibrant personality caught the attention of everyone in the room. Linda had a way of bringing joy to the hearts around her through her love, hospitality, her playfulness, and ability to be a rock to those who needed to be grounded during hard times. Her strength was an outstanding characteristic she displayed daily.

Linda was a staple of a wife to Benny as she stood by him through many phases of life. She supported her four children and numerous grandchildren at sporting events, graduations, weddings, birthdays, and other sentimental moments. Even those who were not her own were made to feel like her family; many people can attest to this statement. Together, they were both influential icons in the Cameron Parish Community.

Her legacy is instilled in the hearts of the family members and friends that are still here to finish serving the Lord.

Linda was preceded in death by her mother, Lucille Pearce, her Father, Clyde Pearce, her sister, Francis Gafford, her daughter, Alice Welch Little, and the love of her life, Benjamin Welch Sr. She is survived by her three sons: Benjamin Welch Jr., Yancy Welch, and Leslie Welch, her many grandchildren/great-grandchildren and her brothers, Bill and Jimmy Pearce, and their dog, Glass.

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.