Ada Marie Welch

On January 20, 1936, in Lake Charles, Louisiana a beautiful baby girl was born to Willmon and Lee Sonier, they named her Ada as a tribute to her grandmother. She was the second eldest of her eight siblings. Ada would later come to be known as Doll by those who knew and loved her.

The Sonier family relocated to Houston, Texas where Ada attended public school, later graduating from Phillis Wheatly High School. In 1955, her brother, Willmon Sonier Jr. introduced her to who would become her husband, Leroy Welch Jr. The two began dating, later marrying in 1956. To this union, they gave birth to six children: Linda, Kenneth, Erma, Melanie, Emmitt, and Troy. They settled in Scenic Woods, a small community in northeast Houston, where Ada served as a pillar. She opened her home to neighboring kids in addition to her own, ensuring all were fed. She enjoyed cooking and gardening. She prided herself on her beautifully landscaped lawn. Enamored by her beauty, her children referred to her as Mama Doll, later shortened to Doll.

In 1967 Ada, Leroy, and their children gave their lives to Christ when joining Gospel Hill Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Thomas Julius Calhoun Sr. They went on as faithful servants within this church home until the late 1990s when Leroy was presented the opportunity to Pastor Rebecca Baptist Church in Haworth, Oklahoma. Accepting God's calling, Leroy and Ada purchased a ranch and relocated permanently to Oklahoma. Ada served as first lady of Rebecca Baptist Church through her husband's call to heaven on July 14, 2013. Ada is remembered for her love for her children, family, church family and community.

She was preceded in death by her siblings Joe Nathan Sonier, Lillie Mae McNairy, Betty Jane Robinson, Willmon Sonier Jr., Ella Dee Bradley, Authur Eugene Sonier, and two additional deceased, along with her grandchildren Sharteria and Aphientai.

She leaves to cherish her memories, her children, Linda, Kenneth, Erma, Melanie, Emmitt, and Troy. Her grandchildren Andre, Jachob Sr., John, Dyamond, KeShun, Brandi, Roderick, Royce, Ross, Robert Jr., Isaiah, A. Magdeline, Dahlree, Emmitt Jr., Ellyssa, Evon, Troy Jr., Phillip, Daniel, Christina and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Her Funeral is set for 1:00 Monday, October 9, at the Rebecca Baptist Church just off Old 21 in the Kulli area.

The Interment will follow at the Oak Grove Cemetery.

The visitation for Mrs. Welch will start at 1O:00 AM Monday October 9th and will end at 1:00 PM at the Rebecca Baptist Church.