Jo Ann Welch died Friday, Sept. 10, 2010, at her residence after a lengthy illness. She was 64.

Born in Vicksburg, she was the daughter of the late Martin Luther Anderson and Lydia Marie Riegraf Anderson.

Mrs. Welch was a graduate of H.V. Cooper High School and Hinds Community College. She retired in 2007 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with over 40 years of service.

Mrs. Welch was a former member of the Vicksburg Christian Women’s Organization, a volunteer with the Chain Link Helpline and a member of the Vicksburg Soccer Organization and Vicksburg-Warren Chamber of Commerce. She was a member of Highland Baptist Church where she was active in the prayer ministry of the church.

She is survived a daughter, Tracey Blush (Andy) of Fayetteville, Ark; a son, Mark Harris (Jennifer) of Pelahatchie, Miss.; a stepdaughter, Patti Fuqua of Fairhope, Ala.; a stepson, Vernon Welch of Ashville, N.C.; five grandchildren, Cade, Kyle, Cole, Brittney and Ashley; a sister, Theresa A. Hopkins (Rhada) of Vicksburg; and five nephews and one niece.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Vernon “Buddy” Welch Jr.; and a brother, Rex M. Anderson.

The family would like to express special thanks to Mrs. Welch’s personal caregivers for their love and care: Gertrude Williams, Linda Fay Jackson, Ora Carson, Wanda Mason and the staff of Camellia Home Health and Hospice.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Riles Funeral Home with the Rev. Brian Ivey, pastor of Highland Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Riles Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Highland Baptist Church, 3518 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS, 39180; or to the American Cancer Society, 1380 Livingston Lane, Jackson, MS, 39213.

Pallbearers will be Rhada Hopkins, Dennis Harris, Larry Tarnabine, Ronnie Hopkins, Rodger Hopkins, Richard Blush, Donnie Harris and Kyle Blush.

Honorary pallbearers will be Vernon Welch, Mike Welch, Charles Harris and Jeff Dennis.