Betty Jean Welch, age 75, of Americus, GA, passed away Friday, March 11, 2022, in the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, Americus.  She was a loving mother, grandmother, and sister; a retired business owner of Lou's Paint Spot and Carpet Barn, Lou's Hydraulic Sales and Service, and Action Insulation and Coating; and a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Nocatee, FL.  She loved to cook and put-up vegetables and believed that there was always room at the table for one more.  She never met a stranger and was quickly loved by those she met.

Betty was born July 5, 1946, in Abbeville, Georgia, to the late John Laster and Laverne Harpe Laster.  She is also preceded in death by her husband, Louis S. Welch, and her brother, Ted Laster.  She is survived by her daughter, Suzanne Melendez (Helder); her son, Reece Welch (Regine); her siblings, Gail Brown, Jack Laster (Ernestine), Pat Culpepper (Jimmy), Peggy Osborne (Cliff), Connie Laster, Roger Laster (Sandy); and her grandchildren, Alexis Melendez, Mason Melendez, Jack Melendez, Teagan Welch, and Isabella Melendez.

Funeral Services will be held in Rochelle, Georgia on Thursday, March 17 ^th

at 4:00 p.m. at Kramer Baptist Church with Rev. Brad Brownlee officiating.  Visitation will be from 3:00-4:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church.

Graveside Services will be held in Joshua Creek Cemetery, Arcadia, Florida, on Saturday, March 19 ^th at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Eric Romick officiating.

Fellowship and lunch to follow internment at First Baptist Arcadia.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Diabetes Foundation.