Gertrude Edna Welch
April 15, 1976
Eulogy by her long-time friend, Reverend William D. Welburn
We gather today to pay respectful and affectionate tribute to the memory of Gertrude Edna Welch who was born in Scurry County, Texas on September 2,1902, the daughter of William Eli Head and Nancy Leanna (nee Taylor) Head. She died in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, April 12,1976.
Trudy, as lovingly remembered by all of us, lived in San Antonio since 1920. She and William Cullen Welch, better known to all of us as Pat, were married on July 19, 1925, celebrating their Golden Anniversary last year. Their only daughter, Mrs. Patsy Burdette, survives her and conducts the business of Welch's Flowers, founded by her mother in 1945. Her two beloved grandchildren, Mrs. Jackie Lynn Meldrom of San Antonio and Mr. Allen Burdette of Houston, also survive and are present today to join us in loving memory of their grandmother. Other survivors include brothers and sisters in order of their birth: Mrs. Katherine Collins, Falfurrias, Texas; Mr. James Eli Head, San Antonio; Mr. Cleo Head, Austin; Mrs. Charlotte Mills, San Antonio; Mr. Ather B. Head, Buda,Texas; Mrs. Oleta Edwards, Winter Haven, Florida; and Mrs. Bernice Simmons, Rosenburg,Texas.
I have the honor today of performing a mission which scores of those present today could and would carry out. Though, I was once her Pastor years ago, the tenor of my remarks will be in the nature of an eulogy of a friend; yea, more than a friend, because I have often remarked--as have many of you here today--that Pat and Gertrude have always been closer than an actual brother and sister after the flesh. So, with you, we honor ourselves by voting ourselves into the loving circle of her kin. Let's put it in plain Texas language, Pat and Gertrude seem like kinfolk to us! So we join Pat, Patsy, the grandchildren, the sisters and brothers, the nieces and nephews as part of the family.
When we review and refresh our memories of Trudy, I am sure we are unanimous in marvelling at her boundless energy which persisted to a relatively brief period before her actual translation to a higher sphere of activity. As an employee of the telephone company, as a founder of Welch's Flowers,(1945), as Queen of Nekodah Temple No. 44, Daughters of the Nile in 1945, as inevitably a member of the Business and Professional Women's Club, as a Methodist, as actively involved in the organization and conduct of Alamo Area of Allied Florists Association, Texas State Florists Association, Society of American Florists, as a link in FTD, she fully qualified for membership in that select circle of business and professional women mentioned in the Scriptures as Tabitha -- also known as Dorcas, and Lydia who was the first Christian Convert in Europe when Paul conducted a river-side prayer meeting in the suburbs of Phillipi. Other interests such as membership in the San Antonio Woman's Club, the Bright Shawl, the Telephone Pioneers Club, the Knife and Fork Club, and gardening, ceramics, Senior Citizens activities, benefited from her boundless energy.
But that energy was not abated when she came home. The flowers, the fish-bowl, Patsy's play-house in the back yard, the ever-open door to a multitude of friends and guests, the bountiful meals prepared and served with apparent ease all remind us of her constantly constructive energy. We recall a visit of our Lord Jesus to the home of Mary and Martha in Bethany. Mary was concentrating on the entertainment of her guest with conversation while Martha was busy with preparing the food. If Trudy had been there, she could have done both necessary things at once.
As boundless as was Trudy's energy in the pursuit of business and philanthropic matters, she was equally energetic and enthusiastic about the very proper human occupation of HAVING FUN. She was always the last to leave and the most reluctant to bring to a close a gathering of congenial friends. We can hear that delighted laugh as she joked and teased those who were closest to her.
Trudy's attitude toward that which we tend to departmentalize in the one word RELIGION was that pronounced by our Master when He proclaimed that He came to give us life, abundant life, i.e., how to live on this good earth. That was why it was said of Him that " the common people heard Him gladly", or that He loved to observe little kids at play and loved to take time to hold them on his lap, put his hand on their heads, and fervently bless them, or that he was a comfortable friend even to "publicans and sinners". So, Trudy seemed to see the point to what our Lord has been trying to teach us all these centuries. So it was, she lived such a life here on earth and was SUCH GOOD COMPANY to all who knew her, she represents the sort of people with whom, through God's mercy and salvation, we would pleasantly spend Eternity itself. It was a person like Trudy that the little girl had in mind when she prayed to her Heavenly Father, " O Lord make the bad people good; but, for goodness sake, make the good people NICE". This was our Trudy!
Selected Scriptures: Portions of
Proverbs 31:10-12, 20, 25-31
Psalm: 103:13-18
Acts: 9:36-42
Acts: 16:11-15
April 15, 1976
Eulogy by her long-time friend, Reverend William D. Welburn
We gather today to pay respectful and affectionate tribute to the memory of Gertrude Edna Welch who was born in Scurry County, Texas on September 2,1902, the daughter of William Eli Head and Nancy Leanna (nee Taylor) Head. She died in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, April 12,1976.
Trudy, as lovingly remembered by all of us, lived in San Antonio since 1920. She and William Cullen Welch, better known to all of us as Pat, were married on July 19, 1925, celebrating their Golden Anniversary last year. Their only daughter, Mrs. Patsy Burdette, survives her and conducts the business of Welch's Flowers, founded by her mother in 1945. Her two beloved grandchildren, Mrs. Jackie Lynn Meldrom of San Antonio and Mr. Allen Burdette of Houston, also survive and are present today to join us in loving memory of their grandmother. Other survivors include brothers and sisters in order of their birth: Mrs. Katherine Collins, Falfurrias, Texas; Mr. James Eli Head, San Antonio; Mr. Cleo Head, Austin; Mrs. Charlotte Mills, San Antonio; Mr. Ather B. Head, Buda,Texas; Mrs. Oleta Edwards, Winter Haven, Florida; and Mrs. Bernice Simmons, Rosenburg,Texas.
I have the honor today of performing a mission which scores of those present today could and would carry out. Though, I was once her Pastor years ago, the tenor of my remarks will be in the nature of an eulogy of a friend; yea, more than a friend, because I have often remarked--as have many of you here today--that Pat and Gertrude have always been closer than an actual brother and sister after the flesh. So, with you, we honor ourselves by voting ourselves into the loving circle of her kin. Let's put it in plain Texas language, Pat and Gertrude seem like kinfolk to us! So we join Pat, Patsy, the grandchildren, the sisters and brothers, the nieces and nephews as part of the family.
When we review and refresh our memories of Trudy, I am sure we are unanimous in marvelling at her boundless energy which persisted to a relatively brief period before her actual translation to a higher sphere of activity. As an employee of the telephone company, as a founder of Welch's Flowers,(1945), as Queen of Nekodah Temple No. 44, Daughters of the Nile in 1945, as inevitably a member of the Business and Professional Women's Club, as a Methodist, as actively involved in the organization and conduct of Alamo Area of Allied Florists Association, Texas State Florists Association, Society of American Florists, as a link in FTD, she fully qualified for membership in that select circle of business and professional women mentioned in the Scriptures as Tabitha -- also known as Dorcas, and Lydia who was the first Christian Convert in Europe when Paul conducted a river-side prayer meeting in the suburbs of Phillipi. Other interests such as membership in the San Antonio Woman's Club, the Bright Shawl, the Telephone Pioneers Club, the Knife and Fork Club, and gardening, ceramics, Senior Citizens activities, benefited from her boundless energy.
But that energy was not abated when she came home. The flowers, the fish-bowl, Patsy's play-house in the back yard, the ever-open door to a multitude of friends and guests, the bountiful meals prepared and served with apparent ease all remind us of her constantly constructive energy. We recall a visit of our Lord Jesus to the home of Mary and Martha in Bethany. Mary was concentrating on the entertainment of her guest with conversation while Martha was busy with preparing the food. If Trudy had been there, she could have done both necessary things at once.
As boundless as was Trudy's energy in the pursuit of business and philanthropic matters, she was equally energetic and enthusiastic about the very proper human occupation of HAVING FUN. She was always the last to leave and the most reluctant to bring to a close a gathering of congenial friends. We can hear that delighted laugh as she joked and teased those who were closest to her.
Trudy's attitude toward that which we tend to departmentalize in the one word RELIGION was that pronounced by our Master when He proclaimed that He came to give us life, abundant life, i.e., how to live on this good earth. That was why it was said of Him that " the common people heard Him gladly", or that He loved to observe little kids at play and loved to take time to hold them on his lap, put his hand on their heads, and fervently bless them, or that he was a comfortable friend even to "publicans and sinners". So, Trudy seemed to see the point to what our Lord has been trying to teach us all these centuries. So it was, she lived such a life here on earth and was SUCH GOOD COMPANY to all who knew her, she represents the sort of people with whom, through God's mercy and salvation, we would pleasantly spend Eternity itself. It was a person like Trudy that the little girl had in mind when she prayed to her Heavenly Father, " O Lord make the bad people good; but, for goodness sake, make the good people NICE". This was our Trudy!
Selected Scriptures: Portions of
Proverbs 31:10-12, 20, 25-31
Psalm: 103:13-18
Acts: 9:36-42
Acts: 16:11-15
Gertrude Edna Welch
April 15, 1976
Eulogy by her long-time friend, Reverend William D. Welburn
We gather today to pay respectful and affectionate tribute to the memory of Gertrude Edna Welch who was born in Scurry County, Texas on September 2,1902, the daughter of William Eli Head and Nancy Leanna (nee Taylor) Head. She died in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, April 12,1976.
Trudy, as lovingly remembered by all of us, lived in San Antonio since 1920. She and William Cullen Welch, better known to all of us as Pat, were married on July 19, 1925, celebrating their Golden Anniversary last year. Their only daughter, Mrs. Patsy Burdette, survives her and conducts the business of Welch's Flowers, founded by her mother in 1945. Her two beloved grandchildren, Mrs. Jackie Lynn Meldrom of San Antonio and Mr. Allen Burdette of Houston, also survive and are present today to join us in loving memory of their grandmother. Other survivors include brothers and sisters in order of their birth: Mrs. Katherine Collins, Falfurrias, Texas; Mr. James Eli Head, San Antonio; Mr. Cleo Head, Austin; Mrs. Charlotte Mills, San Antonio; Mr. Ather B. Head, Buda,Texas; Mrs. Oleta Edwards, Winter Haven, Florida; and Mrs. Bernice Simmons, Rosenburg,Texas.
I have the honor today of performing a mission which scores of those present today could and would carry out. Though, I was once her Pastor years ago, the tenor of my remarks will be in the nature of an eulogy of a friend; yea, more than a friend, because I have often remarked--as have many of you here today--that Pat and Gertrude have always been closer than an actual brother and sister after the flesh. So, with you, we honor ourselves by voting ourselves into the loving circle of her kin. Let's put it in plain Texas language, Pat and Gertrude seem like kinfolk to us! So we join Pat, Patsy, the grandchildren, the sisters and brothers, the nieces and nephews as part of the family.
When we review and refresh our memories of Trudy, I am sure we are unanimous in marvelling at her boundless energy which persisted to a relatively brief period before her actual translation to a higher sphere of activity. As an employee of the telephone company, as a founder of Welch's Flowers,(1945), as Queen of Nekodah Temple No. 44, Daughters of the Nile in 1945, as inevitably a member of the Business and Professional Women's Club, as a Methodist, as actively involved in the organization and conduct of Alamo Area of Allied Florists Association, Texas State Florists Association, Society of American Florists, as a link in FTD, she fully qualified for membership in that select circle of business and professional women mentioned in the Scriptures as Tabitha -- also known as Dorcas, and Lydia who was the first Christian Convert in Europe when Paul conducted a river-side prayer meeting in the suburbs of Phillipi. Other interests such as membership in the San Antonio Woman's Club, the Bright Shawl, the Telephone Pioneers Club, the Knife and Fork Club, and gardening, ceramics, Senior Citizens activities, benefited from her boundless energy.
But that energy was not abated when she came home. The flowers, the fish-bowl, Patsy's play-house in the back yard, the ever-open door to a multitude of friends and guests, the bountiful meals prepared and served with apparent ease all remind us of her constantly constructive energy. We recall a visit of our Lord Jesus to the home of Mary and Martha in Bethany. Mary was concentrating on the entertainment of her guest with conversation while Martha was busy with preparing the food. If Trudy had been there, she could have done both necessary things at once.
As boundless as was Trudy's energy in the pursuit of business and philanthropic matters, she was equally energetic and enthusiastic about the very proper human occupation of HAVING FUN. She was always the last to leave and the most reluctant to bring to a close a gathering of congenial friends. We can hear that delighted laugh as she joked and teased those who were closest to her.
Trudy's attitude toward that which we tend to departmentalize in the one word RELIGION was that pronounced by our Master when He proclaimed that He came to give us life, abundant life, i.e., how to live on this good earth. That was why it was said of Him that " the common people heard Him gladly", or that He loved to observe little kids at play and loved to take time to hold them on his lap, put his hand on their heads, and fervently bless them, or that he was a comfortable friend even to "publicans and sinners". So, Trudy seemed to see the point to what our Lord has been trying to teach us all these centuries. So it was, she lived such a life here on earth and was SUCH GOOD COMPANY to all who knew her, she represents the sort of people with whom, through God's mercy and salvation, we would pleasantly spend Eternity itself. It was a person like Trudy that the little girl had in mind when she prayed to her Heavenly Father, " O Lord make the bad people good; but, for goodness sake, make the good people NICE". This was our Trudy!
Selected Scriptures: Portions of
Proverbs 31:10-12, 20, 25-31
Psalm: 103:13-18
Acts: 9:36-42
Acts: 16:11-15
April 15, 1976
Eulogy by her long-time friend, Reverend William D. Welburn
We gather today to pay respectful and affectionate tribute to the memory of Gertrude Edna Welch who was born in Scurry County, Texas on September 2,1902, the daughter of William Eli Head and Nancy Leanna (nee Taylor) Head. She died in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, April 12,1976.
Trudy, as lovingly remembered by all of us, lived in San Antonio since 1920. She and William Cullen Welch, better known to all of us as Pat, were married on July 19, 1925, celebrating their Golden Anniversary last year. Their only daughter, Mrs. Patsy Burdette, survives her and conducts the business of Welch's Flowers, founded by her mother in 1945. Her two beloved grandchildren, Mrs. Jackie Lynn Meldrom of San Antonio and Mr. Allen Burdette of Houston, also survive and are present today to join us in loving memory of their grandmother. Other survivors include brothers and sisters in order of their birth: Mrs. Katherine Collins, Falfurrias, Texas; Mr. James Eli Head, San Antonio; Mr. Cleo Head, Austin; Mrs. Charlotte Mills, San Antonio; Mr. Ather B. Head, Buda,Texas; Mrs. Oleta Edwards, Winter Haven, Florida; and Mrs. Bernice Simmons, Rosenburg,Texas.
I have the honor today of performing a mission which scores of those present today could and would carry out. Though, I was once her Pastor years ago, the tenor of my remarks will be in the nature of an eulogy of a friend; yea, more than a friend, because I have often remarked--as have many of you here today--that Pat and Gertrude have always been closer than an actual brother and sister after the flesh. So, with you, we honor ourselves by voting ourselves into the loving circle of her kin. Let's put it in plain Texas language, Pat and Gertrude seem like kinfolk to us! So we join Pat, Patsy, the grandchildren, the sisters and brothers, the nieces and nephews as part of the family.
When we review and refresh our memories of Trudy, I am sure we are unanimous in marvelling at her boundless energy which persisted to a relatively brief period before her actual translation to a higher sphere of activity. As an employee of the telephone company, as a founder of Welch's Flowers,(1945), as Queen of Nekodah Temple No. 44, Daughters of the Nile in 1945, as inevitably a member of the Business and Professional Women's Club, as a Methodist, as actively involved in the organization and conduct of Alamo Area of Allied Florists Association, Texas State Florists Association, Society of American Florists, as a link in FTD, she fully qualified for membership in that select circle of business and professional women mentioned in the Scriptures as Tabitha -- also known as Dorcas, and Lydia who was the first Christian Convert in Europe when Paul conducted a river-side prayer meeting in the suburbs of Phillipi. Other interests such as membership in the San Antonio Woman's Club, the Bright Shawl, the Telephone Pioneers Club, the Knife and Fork Club, and gardening, ceramics, Senior Citizens activities, benefited from her boundless energy.
But that energy was not abated when she came home. The flowers, the fish-bowl, Patsy's play-house in the back yard, the ever-open door to a multitude of friends and guests, the bountiful meals prepared and served with apparent ease all remind us of her constantly constructive energy. We recall a visit of our Lord Jesus to the home of Mary and Martha in Bethany. Mary was concentrating on the entertainment of her guest with conversation while Martha was busy with preparing the food. If Trudy had been there, she could have done both necessary things at once.
As boundless as was Trudy's energy in the pursuit of business and philanthropic matters, she was equally energetic and enthusiastic about the very proper human occupation of HAVING FUN. She was always the last to leave and the most reluctant to bring to a close a gathering of congenial friends. We can hear that delighted laugh as she joked and teased those who were closest to her.
Trudy's attitude toward that which we tend to departmentalize in the one word RELIGION was that pronounced by our Master when He proclaimed that He came to give us life, abundant life, i.e., how to live on this good earth. That was why it was said of Him that " the common people heard Him gladly", or that He loved to observe little kids at play and loved to take time to hold them on his lap, put his hand on their heads, and fervently bless them, or that he was a comfortable friend even to "publicans and sinners". So, Trudy seemed to see the point to what our Lord has been trying to teach us all these centuries. So it was, she lived such a life here on earth and was SUCH GOOD COMPANY to all who knew her, she represents the sort of people with whom, through God's mercy and salvation, we would pleasantly spend Eternity itself. It was a person like Trudy that the little girl had in mind when she prayed to her Heavenly Father, " O Lord make the bad people good; but, for goodness sake, make the good people NICE". This was our Trudy!
Selected Scriptures: Portions of
Proverbs 31:10-12, 20, 25-31
Psalm: 103:13-18
Acts: 9:36-42
Acts: 16:11-15
Inscription
Together Forever
Family Members
Siblings
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Mary Catherine "Sis" Head Collins
1896–1995
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James Eli Head
1898–1988
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Lillian Mae Head Thompson
1900–1934
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Infant Son Head
1904–1904
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Cleo William Head
1905 – unknown
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Charlotte Viola Head Mills
1907–1996
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Ather Buck "A.B." Head
1909–1998
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Dep "Deppie" Head
1912–1920
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Oleta Dorothy Head Edwards
1914–1994
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Bernice Leneve "Nicey" Head Simmons
1918–2000
Children
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