Gloria Rae Welch

After 93 wonderful years of life, Gloria Rae Welch left one life to begin another with the Lord on July 1, 2020.  She was born on April 22, 1927, in Olney, Illinois, the “town of the white squirrels,” to Ray and Margaret Schneiter.

She was preceded in death by her college sweetheart and husband of 56 years James Albert Welch; and by her sister and only sibling Betty Powahatan nee Schneiter.   She is survived by: (i) her two children Steven Welch and Linda Murphy, nee Welch; (ii) their respective spouses Susan Alberti Welch and Ken Murphy; (iii) a host of grandchildren (and their spouses) Brian Lindley (Tiffany), Will Welch (Sarah), Melissa Roberts (Clark), Hannah Welch, Claire Welch, Brian Murphy (Trista), Kevin Murphy (Ashlyn), Jordan Murphy (Lindsay), and Kelsey DeLobbe (Phillippe); and (iv) her six great-grandchildren.

She attended college at MacMurray College for Women and Eastern Illinois State University. She enjoyed a very successful career as an Insurance Claim Representative, which spanned over 40 years and included her serving as President of the Oklahoma City Insurance Women’s Club. She retired from the Insurance business in April 1992, but subsequently worked as a patient assistant at the Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic until her late 80’s and thereafter volunteered at Norman Regional Hospital until 2018.

Despite a fulltime career, she attended virtually every childhood ballgame, served as a homeroom mom and as a Cub Scout and Brownie den leader, and did her very best to ensure that her children did not want for anything that was truly needed. She was consistently and lovingly supportive, encouraging, comforting, and caring. 

We will forever cherish our many memories of her selfless acts of love and devotion.  She is and always will be dearly missed. She was a blessing to us and her many friends and loved ones.  She loved the Lord with all her heart and she never treated anyone any differently than she would want to be treated.  We are comforted knowing that she is at peace with the Lord.

A private graveside service will be held at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Norman, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers, Gloria would be greatly honored by a donation to Mission OKC in her name. She loved donating to the ministry work that they perform in the community and around the world. Donations can be made to:  Mission OKC, 8701 NW 157th Way, Edmond, OK 73013.