Diane Welch
January 19, 2022 — April 2, 2007
Diane Welch
Diane Thames Welch
1939-2007
Kathlyn Diane Thames was born November 16, 1939, in Natchitoches, Louisiana to Leo Welch Thames and Norvel Ellis Thames. She passed away peacefully in her home on the afternoon of April 2, 2007. Both her parents were highly respected educators in Louisiana. Diane grew up in Newellton, La (Tensas Parish) on the banks on the Mississippi River where she has retained a host of friends. Her dad was an administrator for the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service. He retained the family farm near Mangham, LA (Richland Parish). Some of the property has been in the family since before the Civil War. Diane, her husband Bill and son, William have enjoyed restoring a home in Mangham and spending time in the community.
Diane completed an undergraduate degree in Home Economics from L.S.U. and later a Master’s degree in child development from the same institution. While at LSU she was active in Kappa Delta Sorority. She was employed by the Louisiana State Department of Education to supervise the Future Homemakers of America program in Louisiana. As in all her endeavors she created a wonderful network of friends and supporters among her coworkers. Diane collected friends throughout her life like a noted museum acquires fine art and antiques. Her friends are an eclectic group from all over the South who all treasure and reciprocate the bond of her love and caring.
Diane met her future husband, Dr. Bill Welch, through mutual friends in Baton Rouge. They married in 1967 while Bill was completing graduate work in Horticulture and Extension Education at LSU. July 1, 1970, their only child, William Thames Welch, was born in Baton Rouge. Upon completing Bill’s graduate work the family moved to College Station, TX where Bill was employed as Extension Landscape Horticulturist in the Department of Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University. Diane decided to stay home to raise Will. After a couple of years the Cooperative Extension program at Texas A&M persuaded Diane to take a half time position directing a program for youth that Diane titled “Teens Explore Parent Education” (TEPE). The program was not only effective and popular in Texas but utilized in many other states.
Diane agreed to a full time position as Family Life Education Specialist with Texas Cooperative Extension. Her talents in cultivating strong personal friendships and while creating innovative educational programs and raising funds in Austin to support the efforts, added to her image as a highly successful educator and advocate for children in Texas and across the nation.
With the loss of both her parents in the early 1990’s Diane retired from the University to manage family property and become active in local organizations such as being an educational docent at The Bush Library, The Children’s Museum, The Women’s Club,
P.E.O., Extension Service Club and “The Daisies”. She also derived great pleasure in traveling with Bill across the South and in Europe while he lectured and consulted on projects involving historic gardens. A favorite was the wonderful friendships and annual meetings of The Southern Garden History Society. Diane and Bill share many wonderful friendships among members of Texas Garden Clubs, Inc. The Garden Club of America, Master Gardener groups and the U.T. Winedale Council.
Bill and Diane have been especially pleased that their son, Will and his wife, Mandy have settled in College Station. The addition of granddaughter Kathlyn Alyse Welch on August 30, 2006, has been a source of special joy. Diane’s many friends and family are committed to making Alyse aware of the very special lady who was her grandmother.
In addition to her son, Will and his wife Mandy and their granddaughter Kathlyn Alyse and husband Bill, Diane leaves three brothers-in-law, their spouses and children. These include, Pat Welch, and wife Ginny, Charles Welch and wife, Mary, and Jay Thomas and wife, Rosie. Nephews and nieces include Nicholas Welch and wife Christin, Brandon Welch, Travis Welch and wife, Sara, Virginia and Elizabeth Welch, Sarah and Hannah Thomas. Nicholas, Brandon and Travis all lived with Bill and Diane while attending Texas A&M University graduating in classes of ’01, and “03 and ’05, respectively. Rosalyn and Bud Odom of West Monroe, LA, their daughter Kimberly and son Bryan are Diane’s distant cousins and dear friends. Bill’s cousin Dottie St. Clair Hill and husband Bobby have also been special sources of support along with Bill’s aunt, Bernice Menke Smith of College Station.
A special joy that Bill & Diane have enjoyed since arriving in College Station in 1972 is A&M United Methodist Church and their Lost and Found Sunday School Class. Prayers and support from their Sunday School Class friends has helped to sustain them for the year and a half of Diane’s illness. Rev. Kip Gilts, Rev. Laurinda Kwiatkowski and Rev. Bob Waters have been valued sources of love and support.
Diane’s network of close friends have been a source of inspiration to all of us. Any listing would be insufficient but special support has come from Helen Hester Kifer, Jayme Ponder, Angela Smith, Lou Anne Workman, Cynthia Mueller and Jessie Lee Harris. The loving care and support of The Brazos Valley Hospice, their nurses and staff has been inspirational.
Pallbearers for the service include Nicholas, Travis and Brandon Welch, Greg Grant, Chris Wiesinger, Cullen Mosley, Bryan Odom & Jason Brown.
For those interested in memorial gifts the family suggests A&M United Methodist Church in College Station, TX, Mangham United Methodist Church, Mangham, LA or the William C. Welch Landscape Horticulture Scholarship at Texas A&M University.
c/o Ms. Charlie Marr, 26519 Westwood Dr. Spring, TX 77386.
Funeral services are under the director of Hillier Funeral Home in Bryan. Visitation will be from 5-7p.m. at the funeral home on Wednesday, April 4. Interment will be in the College Station Cemetery on Texas Avenue in College Station. A celebration of Diane’s
life will be held at A&M United Methodist Church, 417 Universtiy Drive at 11:00a.m. with lunch to follow at the church.
1939-2007
Kathlyn Diane Thames was born November 16, 1939, in Natchitoches, Louisiana to Leo Welch Thames and Norvel Ellis Thames. She passed away peacefully in her home on the afternoon of April 2, 2007. Both her parents were highly respected educators in Louisiana. Diane grew up in Newellton, La (Tensas Parish) on the banks on the Mississippi River where she has retained a host of friends. Her dad was an administrator for the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service. He retained the family farm near Mangham, LA (Richland Parish). Some of the property has been in the family since before the Civil War. Diane, her husband Bill and son, William have enjoyed restoring a home in Mangham and spending time in the community.
Diane completed an undergraduate degree in Home Economics from L.S.U. and later a Master’s degree in child development from the same institution. While at LSU she was active in Kappa Delta Sorority. She was employed by the Louisiana State Department of Education to supervise the Future Homemakers of America program in Louisiana. As in all her endeavors she created a wonderful network of friends and supporters among her coworkers. Diane collected friends throughout her life like a noted museum acquires fine art and antiques. Her friends are an eclectic group from all over the South who all treasure and reciprocate the bond of her love and caring.
Diane met her future husband, Dr. Bill Welch, through mutual friends in Baton Rouge. They married in 1967 while Bill was completing graduate work in Horticulture and Extension Education at LSU. July 1, 1970, their only child, William Thames Welch, was born in Baton Rouge. Upon completing Bill’s graduate work the family moved to College Station, TX where Bill was employed as Extension Landscape Horticulturist in the Department of Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University. Diane decided to stay home to raise Will. After a couple of years the Cooperative Extension program at Texas A&M persuaded Diane to take a half time position directing a program for youth that Diane titled “Teens Explore Parent Education” (TEPE). The program was not only effective and popular in Texas but utilized in many other states.
Diane agreed to a full time position as Family Life Education Specialist with Texas Cooperative Extension. Her talents in cultivating strong personal friendships and while creating innovative educational programs and raising funds in Austin to support the efforts, added to her image as a highly successful educator and advocate for children in Texas and across the nation.
With the loss of both her parents in the early 1990’s Diane retired from the University to manage family property and become active in local organizations such as being an educational docent at The Bush Library, The Children’s Museum, The Women’s Club,
P.E.O., Extension Service Club and “The Daisies”. She also derived great pleasure in traveling with Bill across the South and in Europe while he lectured and consulted on projects involving historic gardens. A favorite was the wonderful friendships and annual meetings of The Southern Garden History Society. Diane and Bill share many wonderful friendships among members of Texas Garden Clubs, Inc. The Garden Club of America, Master Gardener groups and the U.T. Winedale Council.
Bill and Diane have been especially pleased that their son, Will and his wife, Mandy have settled in College Station. The addition of granddaughter Kathlyn Alyse Welch on August 30, 2006, has been a source of special joy. Diane’s many friends and family are committed to making Alyse aware of the very special lady who was her grandmother.
In addition to her son, Will and his wife Mandy and their granddaughter Kathlyn Alyse and husband Bill, Diane leaves three brothers-in-law, their spouses and children. These include, Pat Welch, and wife Ginny, Charles Welch and wife, Mary, and Jay Thomas and wife, Rosie. Nephews and nieces include Nicholas Welch and wife Christin, Brandon Welch, Travis Welch and wife, Sara, Virginia and Elizabeth Welch, Sarah and Hannah Thomas. Nicholas, Brandon and Travis all lived with Bill and Diane while attending Texas A&M University graduating in classes of ’01, and “03 and ’05, respectively. Rosalyn and Bud Odom of West Monroe, LA, their daughter Kimberly and son Bryan are Diane’s distant cousins and dear friends. Bill’s cousin Dottie St. Clair Hill and husband Bobby have also been special sources of support along with Bill’s aunt, Bernice Menke Smith of College Station.
A special joy that Bill & Diane have enjoyed since arriving in College Station in 1972 is A&M United Methodist Church and their Lost and Found Sunday School Class. Prayers and support from their Sunday School Class friends has helped to sustain them for the year and a half of Diane’s illness. Rev. Kip Gilts, Rev. Laurinda Kwiatkowski and Rev. Bob Waters have been valued sources of love and support.
Diane’s network of close friends have been a source of inspiration to all of us. Any listing would be insufficient but special support has come from Helen Hester Kifer, Jayme Ponder, Angela Smith, Lou Anne Workman, Cynthia Mueller and Jessie Lee Harris. The loving care and support of The Brazos Valley Hospice, their nurses and staff has been inspirational.
Pallbearers for the service include Nicholas, Travis and Brandon Welch, Greg Grant, Chris Wiesinger, Cullen Mosley, Bryan Odom & Jason Brown.
For those interested in memorial gifts the family suggests A&M United Methodist Church in College Station, TX, Mangham United Methodist Church, Mangham, LA or the William C. Welch Landscape Horticulture Scholarship at Texas A&M University.
c/o Ms. Charlie Marr, 26519 Westwood Dr. Spring, TX 77386.
Funeral services are under the director of Hillier Funeral Home in Bryan. Visitation will be from 5-7p.m. at the funeral home on Wednesday, April 4. Interment will be in the College Station Cemetery on Texas Avenue in College Station. A celebration of Diane’s
life will be held at A&M United Methodist Church, 417 Universtiy Drive at 11:00a.m. with lunch to follow at the church.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Diane Welch, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 33
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
