Helen Louise Welch

Helen Louise Welch, 92, formerly of Clarendon, passed into her Heavenly home on Thursday, January 25, 2024, in Amarillo.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon with Chris Downer officiating. Private family burial will be held at Rowe Cemetery in Hedley.

Viewing will be held at the funeral home on Monday, January 29, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. with family receiving friends for visitation from 3-5 p.m. 

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Helen was born on August 16, 1931, in Wellington, to Buster C. and Modene (Mitchell) Shields. She graduated from Quail Highschool. Helen married C.E. Welch on December 11, 1948, in Wellington, and they had one son, Tex Welch. After living in Claude for some time, Helen and C.E. moved to Clarendon in 1973. Helen worked for Bivens Pharmacy for 16 years as store manager and cosmetician. In 2000, they moved to Hedley and spent their time enjoying their land and running cattle. After C.E. passed in 2005, Helen moved to Clarendon where she went back to work part time for The Clarendon Outpost as their jewelry department manager.

Helen was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon and deeply loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was an excellent cook and baker. Helen’s chocolate and coconut crème pies were fought over at church luncheons, and she always had a banana nut bread ready for anyone who stopped by to see her. She loved her family, and any child she ever kept became a part of her life forever. She acquired many friends over the years that became family to her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Buster and Modene Shields; husband of 57 years, C.E. Welch; brothers, Jimmy and Billy Shields; sister, Jo Ann Cobb; and daughter-in-law, Sherry Lynn Hales Welch.

Helen is survived by her son, Tex Welch and wife, Terri, of Amarillo; two brothers Rev. Rob Shields of Waxahachie, and John Shields of Queen Creek, Ariz.; numerous nieces and nephews; and her special children, Scott Bivens, Donna Ripple Courville, Cooper Downer, Alysse and Malerie Simpson, Austin Adams, and Kati Gillespie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Calvary Baptist Church or Rowe Cemetery in Hedley.