Paul Hiram Welch

Rev. Paul Hiram Welch strolled through Heaven’s gate to be with Jesus on January 5, 2019. He left this earth surrounded by his family. Rev. Welch was born in Philadelphia, MS, on March 21, 1930. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Shirley Lane Welch; his favorite daughters, Beverly Parker and husband, Curtis, Jan Castillo and Pamela Clayton and husband Robert; 13 favorite grandchildren, Cory and Georgia Parker, Courtney and Craig Barlow, Brittany and Mark Ferguson, Max Castillo, Eric and Cassandra Clayton, Erica and Ian George, Kyle and Jennifer Clayton; 11 favorite great-grandchildren, Ariel Parker, Bryleigh, Parker, and Lawson Barlow, Paityn Ferguson, Dakotah, Hunter and Paisley Clayton, Ethan, Landen and Natalie George; siblings, Joanna Shell, Abraham and Bobby Welch. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Rev. D.L. and Lottie Welch, sister, Sarah Welch and brothers, David, Daniel and Jimmy Welch. Rev. Welch graduated from Pensacola High School in 1948, where he played the saxophone in the marching band. He also played the saxophone in the orchestra at First Pentecostal Church. He started evangelizing at the age of 16 and became Associate Pastor at First Pentecostal Church in 1956. In addition to ministerial duties, he led the choir and was the church bookkeeper. He became Pastor in 1975, Senior Pastor in 1999 and Pastor Emeritus in 2007. He also served on the Florida District Board of the United Pentecostal Church and on the Board of the Lighthouse Ranch for Boys in Louisiana. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and he loved teaching his children and grandchildren his super-secret skills. His prize hunting trophy was a 6x6 elk he tagged in Colorado which takes up a corner in his office at the church. The celebration of Rev. Welch’s life will be at the First Pentecostal Church, 6500 N. “W” Street. Visitation will be Thursday, January 10, 2019 from 2:00-5:00 pm, with the service beginning at 5:00 pm. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren. Faith Chapel Funeral Home South is handling the arrangements. Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to The Tupelo Children’s Mansion, Lighthouse Ranch for Boys or the Leaning Post Ranch. You may express your condolences to the family at www.fcfhs.com

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Paul Hiram Welch

March 21, 1930 - January 5, 2019