02/08/2006
Nell Ridlen Welch, 89, passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2006, at the Knoxville Area Community
Hospital. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 13 at 10:30 A.M. at
the First United Methodist Church in Knoxville. Burial will follow in Breckenridge
Cemetery.
She is survived by nephews, Phillip Ardean (Janice) Williams, Richard
(Karen) Ridlen, Don (Mary Ellen) Hall and Paul (Terri) Jordan; nieces, Elizabeth
Hancock and Joann (Clifford) Hoch; godchildren, Calvin M. Ridlen and Melissa K.
Hoch; name-sake, Charlotte Nell McGill; 22 great nephews and nieces; many great-great
and great-great-great nephews and nieces; as well as a host of good friends and neighbors.
Visitation will begin after noon on Sunday at Bybee & Davis Funeral Home
where the family will receive friends from 2 to 4 P.M.
Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church Radio Ministry Nell Ridlen Welch was born on March
21, 1916 on her Grandmother Ridlen’s farmstead about two miles southeast of Knoxville.
Nell was the daughter of Clarence L. and Nelle Robuck Ridlen. Nelle had died in
childbirth and Nell was sent to live with her Uncle Joe and Aunt Clara Robuck in
the valley neighborhood. She attended rural school until ready for high school,
at which time she returned to her father’s home. She kept house for him and attended
Knoxville High School until she graduated in 1934. Upon graduation, she held a couple
of part-time jobs until hired by Bellamy Telephone Company.
In 1941 she was united in marriage to Wyatt M. Welch and one year later he was drafted into the service.
Upon Wyatt’s return from the war, Nell left Bellamy to stay home with her husband.
Nell obtained several short-term jobs for a variety of companies, including Collins
Hospital, the Chamber of Commerce, Office of Price Administration, Scott Veterinary
The clinic, Edwards Motors, and Manpower. She also worked at Banker’s Life from 1963
to 1976, at which time her health issues forced her to retire with a disability.
Wyatt became afflicted with Alzheimer’s, and Nell spent every day taking care of him until
he required nursing home attention. They were married for more than 50 years when
he passed away in March of 1992. They had resided on his homestead farm until his
death, at which time Nell moved to town. Nell developed a friendship with John L.
Langstraat was her best friend until his death in August 2003. She remained
close friends with his daughter, Joyce (Scott) Pearson, until her death.
Nell had a passion for pets, especially cats. She also had an interest in being a friend
to everyone and was known as a woman of character by many throughout the community.
Nell was proud of her Christianity and shared it freely with others. She was a member
of the First United Methodist Church. Nell was active in numerous other activities
and organizations, including the Knoxville City Park Board, Adult Education School
Board, Business and Professional Women’s Club, City of Knoxville Heart Fund Drive,
Election Board, daughters of Union veterans, DAV Auxiliary, Sunday School teacher,
neighborhood Liberty Garden Club, District Court Petit Jury, and Marion Rebekah Lodge.
Nell passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2006, at the Knoxville Area Community
Hospital at the age of 89 years, 10 months and 18 days. She was preceded in death
by her parents; adoptive parents; brother, Calvin (Thelma) Ridlen; half-brother, Park (Helen) Hall;
sisters, Clara (Marion ) Jordan and Ruth (Harold) Williams; nephew,
Bill Hall; great nephew, Brian Hancock and great-great niece Claire Hancock.
Those left to cherish her memory include nephews, Phillip Ardean (Janice) Williams, Richard
(Karen) Ridlen, Don (Mary Ellen) Hall and Paul (Terri) Jordan; nieces, Elizabeth
Hancock and Joann (Clifford) Hoch; niece-in-law, Phyllis Hall; godchildren, Calvin
M. Ridlen