Ernest Allison Welch, Jr.

Ernest Allison Welch, Jr., 90, of Big Spring, went home to be with his Heavenly Father, March 10, 2016. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, March 12, 2016 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel with Rev. Mark Lindsey, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park.The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday at the funeral home.He was born September 25, 1925 in Seymour, Texas, the first child of Ernest Welch, Sr. and Eva Dodd Welch. He married Mary Lynn Brock June 2, 1946 in Seymour, Texas. She preceded him in death on October 31, 2014.Ernest was raised on a farm in Baylor County, Texas along with six brothers and sisters. He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, flying B-25 Bomber planes. During his time in the Army he attended several colleges.After returning home from his time in the service Ernest began working for a local funeral home and developed a passion for helping families and serving those who were grieving after the loss of a loved one. The owner of the funeral home saw potential in his dedication and heart for service, and encouraged him to pursue a career in funeral service. In 1947, Ernest graduated from the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science and became a licensed funeral director and embalmer in 1950.Ernest moved to Big Spring in 1953 and worked at River Funeral Home. Within a few years, the opportunity for him to become a partner in the business arose, and the funeral home’s name was changed to River-Welch Funeral Home. Mr. Coy Nalley and Mr. J.C. Pickle asked Ernest to work with them as well, noting his character and the quality of his work. When Mr. Nalley and Mr. Pickle were ready to retire, they offered to sell the funeral home to Ernest. He purchased the funeral home and consolidated the firm to become Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.Ernest’s wife, Mary Lynn Welch, was an integral part of the operation and helped him build the business. Their children, Lynda, Phillip, Pamela, and Tommy were raised in Big Spring. Today, the funeral home operates locations in Big Spring, Midland, and Stanton and a perpetual care cemetery in Big Spring called Trinity Memorial Park. His son,Tommy and his granddaughter, Kasi, operate the funeral homes and cemetery, continuing the family legacy.In 1981, Ernest helped establish Directors Investment Group and Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company and had served on the Board of Directors since then. His mission in establishing FDLIC was to provide funeral homes with products and services to help them grow their businesses and serve families to the best of their ability in the area of preneed.Ernest was a member of the Texas Funeral Directors Association, was a former Funeral Director of the Year Award recipient, was awarded his 60-year membership pin with the Kiwanis Club in October 2015, was a member of the Staked Plains Lodge 598 A. F. & A. M., and Suez Shrine Temple, and served as Deacon at First Baptist Church of Big Spring.Survivors include three children, Phillip Welch and wife, Nancy, Pamela Welch and husband, James, and Tommy Welch and wife, Teresa all of Big Spring; five grandchildren, Kasi Welch Baker and husband, Brad of Midland, Kylee Stockard and husband, Wesley of Abilene, Kaegan Welch and wife, Florence of New York, NY, David Welch of San Angelo and Eric Welch and wife, Jamie of Big Spring; three great-grandchildren, Ellery and Rowan Baker, Hudson Stockard and expected Stockard twins; two brothers, Morris Welch and wife, Saleta of Forney and James Welch and wife, Cammie of Lubbock; and two sisters, Pat Nichols of Forney, Annita Montgomery and husband, Bud of Olney, brother-in-law Carroll Hudson of Lubbock and numerous nieces and nephews.He was also preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Lynda Sue Welch; two sisters, Winnie Peters and Juanita Hudson.The family suggests memorials to First Baptist Church, 705 W. FM 700, Big Spring, Texas 79720.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences may be made at: www.npwelch.com ,