Nancy Jenkins Welch, former associate editor of the Statesboro Herald, died Friday after a four-year battle with cancer. She was 62 years of age.
"She never gave up on a news story and she never gave up on life," said her husband Charles. "She always took the bolder course."
Welch was a lively member of the Herald staff and collected numerous friends along the way as she moved from reporter to Lifestyles editor, then to associate editor, serving for a time as interim editor.
She made an impact on the lives of everyone she met, including coworkers and other members of the community.
"Her house was always open for us," said John Roach, whose family lived in the same neighborhood as the Welch family. He grew up with Welch's son Carter and daughter Marcy.
"She always listened to us," he said. "She was a special lady with a good heart."
Statesboro Herald Assistant Editor Eddie Ledbetter said " I knew and worked with Nancy for many years, and she was always a great friend as well as a colleague. We'll all miss her laughter and bright personality, and are certainly keeping her family in our thoughts and prayers."
"Nancy was always a joy to work with. I will always remember her beaming smile and positive attitude," said Statesboro Herald Publisher Randy Morton.
Linda Hamilton remembers "growing up with Welch in Macon in the 1950's, complete with pearls and heels and tea parties, and how much we laughed over the silly memories."
"What always struck me about Nancy is whatever the subject of the conversation, she was enthusiastic about it, always knew what she thought about it, and she always made it funny," said Kathy Bradley. "Even cancer, she made it funny."
Welch's coworkers recalled fond memories of working with her.
"Nancy and I began working here about the same time," said Rheneta Ward, Statesboro Herald editorial administrative assistant. "She was my mom away from home; always keeping me on the straight and narrow. She was always there to calm me down when I was having a ranting-raving fit ... I'm just so shocked right now, I just don't know what to say. She was a dear, dear, dear friend whom I will never forget."
Nancy Welch was " always an inspiration to me," said Herald classified advertising manager Pam Pollard. "She always had a great outlook on life and always had nice things to say about everyone. She was a beautiful lady, and I will always remember her."
Delia Mobley remembers meeting Welch one day when Welch's car broke down on a rainy Valentine's Day. Mobley gave Welch a ride.
"She looked like an honest lady," she said."Nancy leaves a treasure chest of fond memories for me, as well as many friends here in Statesboro. She had such a jovial spirit and her laughter will be with me always."
After graduating from Georgia Southern College in 1968, Welch began a career in newspaper and radio. She was broadcast announcer for "Sounds from Southern," the art editor for the 1967 Reflector and editor of the 1968 Reflector.
After graduation Welch traveled extensively and wrote for the U.S. Army's newspaper "The Bayonet" at Ft. Benning, as well as other publications at Ft. Bragg. Ft. Jackson and Ft. Stewart. When in Europe, she was a weekly announcer for the Armed Forces Network (AFN)Europe.
Her newspaper career began in Hinesville at the Coastal Courier, and Welch continued writing for Morris Multimedia after moving to Statesboro.
She began as a Statesboro Herald reporter in 1991, then was promoted to society (Lifestyles) editor, then associate editor. Welch was also a weekly columnist, and her true-to-life accounts of her family's escapades were enjoyed by many readers.
Hamilton recalled " her very droll wit that we saw in her newspaper columns.
"I loved to follow the antics of Farmer Chuck, Indiana Jane and 'the Boy' and of course could identify with her as so many mothers did," she said.
"Farmer Chuck" was Welch's husband Charles; "Indiana Jane" was how she referred to her daughter Marcy in her columns,and she called son Carter "the Boy" in her weekly writings.
"She used to write about me as the little red-headed boy and all the trouble I would get into," Roach said. "It's a sad day."
Welch moved to Highlands, NC. in 2004, where she edited The Highlander. After becoming ill, she retired, but continued writing for the Highlands newspaper.
After battling bladder cancer, it went into remission. However, Welch's cancer returned and spread quickly earlier this year.
Mobley spoke of Welch's bravery in facing her diagnosis that the cancer returned.
" Her grace and tenacity in the face of adversity was so admirable. I will miss her, but will always be grateful that she was my friend," she said.
Welch is survived by her husband Charles; children Marsha Katherine (Marcy) and Carter Ashby Welch; and a brother and sister-in-law Thomas Ellis and Kay Jenkins.
Local funeral services for Welch will be announced later.
Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at 489-9414.
"She never gave up on a news story and she never gave up on life," said her husband Charles. "She always took the bolder course."
Welch was a lively member of the Herald staff and collected numerous friends along the way as she moved from reporter to Lifestyles editor, then to associate editor, serving for a time as interim editor.
She made an impact on the lives of everyone she met, including coworkers and other members of the community.
"Her house was always open for us," said John Roach, whose family lived in the same neighborhood as the Welch family. He grew up with Welch's son Carter and daughter Marcy.
"She always listened to us," he said. "She was a special lady with a good heart."
Statesboro Herald Assistant Editor Eddie Ledbetter said " I knew and worked with Nancy for many years, and she was always a great friend as well as a colleague. We'll all miss her laughter and bright personality, and are certainly keeping her family in our thoughts and prayers."
"Nancy was always a joy to work with. I will always remember her beaming smile and positive attitude," said Statesboro Herald Publisher Randy Morton.
Linda Hamilton remembers "growing up with Welch in Macon in the 1950's, complete with pearls and heels and tea parties, and how much we laughed over the silly memories."
"What always struck me about Nancy is whatever the subject of the conversation, she was enthusiastic about it, always knew what she thought about it, and she always made it funny," said Kathy Bradley. "Even cancer, she made it funny."
Welch's coworkers recalled fond memories of working with her.
"Nancy and I began working here about the same time," said Rheneta Ward, Statesboro Herald editorial administrative assistant. "She was my mom away from home; always keeping me on the straight and narrow. She was always there to calm me down when I was having a ranting-raving fit ... I'm just so shocked right now, I just don't know what to say. She was a dear, dear, dear friend whom I will never forget."
Nancy Welch was " always an inspiration to me," said Herald classified advertising manager Pam Pollard. "She always had a great outlook on life and always had nice things to say about everyone. She was a beautiful lady, and I will always remember her."
Delia Mobley remembers meeting Welch one day when Welch's car broke down on a rainy Valentine's Day. Mobley gave Welch a ride.
"She looked like an honest lady," she said."Nancy leaves a treasure chest of fond memories for me, as well as many friends here in Statesboro. She had such a jovial spirit and her laughter will be with me always."
After graduating from Georgia Southern College in 1968, Welch began a career in newspaper and radio. She was broadcast announcer for "Sounds from Southern," the art editor for the 1967 Reflector and editor of the 1968 Reflector.
After graduation Welch traveled extensively and wrote for the U.S. Army's newspaper "The Bayonet" at Ft. Benning, as well as other publications at Ft. Bragg. Ft. Jackson and Ft. Stewart. When in Europe, she was a weekly announcer for the Armed Forces Network (AFN)Europe.
Her newspaper career began in Hinesville at the Coastal Courier, and Welch continued writing for Morris Multimedia after moving to Statesboro.
She began as a Statesboro Herald reporter in 1991, then was promoted to society (Lifestyles) editor, then associate editor. Welch was also a weekly columnist, and her true-to-life accounts of her family's escapades were enjoyed by many readers.
Hamilton recalled " her very droll wit that we saw in her newspaper columns.
"I loved to follow the antics of Farmer Chuck, Indiana Jane and 'the Boy' and of course could identify with her as so many mothers did," she said.
"Farmer Chuck" was Welch's husband Charles; "Indiana Jane" was how she referred to her daughter Marcy in her columns,and she called son Carter "the Boy" in her weekly writings.
"She used to write about me as the little red-headed boy and all the trouble I would get into," Roach said. "It's a sad day."
Welch moved to Highlands, NC. in 2004, where she edited The Highlander. After becoming ill, she retired, but continued writing for the Highlands newspaper.
After battling bladder cancer, it went into remission. However, Welch's cancer returned and spread quickly earlier this year.
Mobley spoke of Welch's bravery in facing her diagnosis that the cancer returned.
" Her grace and tenacity in the face of adversity was so admirable. I will miss her, but will always be grateful that she was my friend," she said.
Welch is survived by her husband Charles; children Marsha Katherine (Marcy) and Carter Ashby Welch; and a brother and sister-in-law Thomas Ellis and Kay Jenkins.
Local funeral services for Welch will be announced later.
Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at 489-9414.