| ABOUT US | |
 We realize our personal and professional prosperity is intricately connected to the success of the business. Therefore, we are wholly dedicated to the future of Welch Enterprises.We strive to earn the perpetual allegiance of cherished friends and family members in our community as we serve their needs by providing superior funeral, preneed, and insurance services. We define superior service through our promise to provide dignified funerals and associated business transactions in an atmosphere of genuine compassion while paying meticulous attention to every detail. We remain dedicated to a moral integrity that treats all people exactly as we would choose to be treated. We understand that our future prosperity rests upon providing the highest level of service to all members of our community.  As the Welch family and staff joyously open the doors of their new Funeral and Memorial Center, we proclaim, as did the writer of Psalm 118:23,“This is the Lords doing, and it is marvelous to see!” Five years were spent prayerfully searching for the right location. For two years our entire staff worked with the architect to design just the right facility. Finally, with great expectation, we watched for 11 months as the building was constructed. From the beginning, and through numerous design revisions, our primary concern has been providing comfort and convenience for our client families. As a result, several new innovative concepts have been incorporated into Welch Funeral & Memorial Center.  The beautiful, multipurpose Garden Court, lush with live plants and trees, is a central focus. This area can serve as a Committal Court for families who use our chapel for their loved ones funeral service. It is especially convenient during inclement weather, or if the cemetery is too far for a procession.Our viewing rooms are extra spacious. Client families can receive large groups to honor their loved one, without feeling crowded or uncomfortable. The Welch Chapel features a large window, with a cross design, which creates an atmosphere filled with light. The cross design is also present in a circular window above the chapel entrance. The chapel's octagonal design creates the feeling of intimacy for a small group, yet still allows seating for up to 170. An additional area for up to fifty additional friends is provided if needed. Our modern, innovative casket selection room eases one of the choices that must be made. Gone is the room full of open caskets that is so unsettling to many. Instead, small sections showing color, style and options are tastefully displayed for easy comparison. Our Public Lounge offers a comfortable atmosphere for families and individuals, complete with coffee and beverage service. Through much thought, planning and prayer, the Welch family and staff present to the community this new Funeral and Memorial Center. As we have faithfully served Longview since 1914, we trust that with this new facility we will continue to provide the families of this growing region the comfort and care they need for decades to come.  We are profoundly grateful to the families we serve and to the God we worship for the opportunity and the means to expand into our new “state of the art, turn of the century” funeral facility.Our desire is to continue to assist those in grief in an atmosphere of genuine compassion while being meticulous in our attention to every detail surrounding our services. Also, we pledge to treat all people exactly as we would choose to be treated and to hold ourselves constantly to the highest moral and ethical standards.  In 1914, W. M. Welch who had been an undertaker in Alabama for 25 years, moved to Longview and opened Welch hardware and Undertaking. After the death of W. M. Welch in 1930, his son O. Thomas Welch continued both businesses.After a fire in 1937 destroyed the hardware store, Thomas decided to close the hardware business and focus exclusively on funeral service. In 1939 Welch Funeral Home, at 210 S. Green Street, was built.  Also in 1939, Mr. Welch organized Welch Burial Association to sell insurance policies to cover funeral expenses at time of death.Thomas Welch's wife, Alta Rita Welch, contributed to the success of the businesses through her many church and civic activities. Thomas Welch remained active in the family businesses until his premature death at age fifty-five in 1953. After the death of his father, 0. Thomas Welch, Jr. assumed responsibility for the businesses. In 1965, he supervised the construction of our funeral chapel and the complete renovation of the funeral home’s main building. In 1971, Thomas formed Welch State Life Insurance Company, a stipulated premium company that assumed the old burial association. From 1969 through 1972, under Mr. Welch's dynamic direction, the insurance company doubled in size. In January 1985 Susan founded The Welch Plan: A Preneed Funeral Sales Organization, offering the public the opportunity to Prearrange funeral services with Welch Funeral Home. In 1995, Thomas and his wife, Susan, purchased a parcel of land at the intersection of Judson Road and Pliler Precise and in the fall of 1998 the architectural firm of J. Stuart Todd began the design of a “state of the art, turn of the century” new funeral facility to be called Welch Funeral ~ Memorial Center. In spring of 1999 our three businesses were commingled and reorganized under the name of Welch Enterprises and Thomas was appointed Chief Executive Officer. In May 1977 Susan Welch joined the staff of Welch State Life Insurance Company, became operating manager in 1979, and in the summer of 1985 was elected president. Mr. Welch's son, Marcus Welch, who represents the fourth generation, began his career with the funeral home in December 1975. He was appointed Funeral Director in Charge in 1989 and General Manager for Welch Enterprises in 1999. As we move deeper into the new millennium, Welch Funeral & Memorial Center continues to be a family owned and operated business. Family serving families. |
