Ann Lynell Dawson Welch, 87, passed away Tuesday morning, April 11, 2017 at Lakeridge Nursing Center, Lubbock, Texas.

The daughter of Panhandle pioneers, Samuelo Mahala (Cayton) and Arden Holly Dawson, Sr., Ann Lynell Dawson was born January 21, 1930 in Guymon, Oklahoma.  Ann attended Texhoma schools, graduating with the Class of 1947.  At Texhoma and Panhandle A&M College, Goodwell, OK, she was active in band, was a twirler, a cheerleader and was an accomplished pianist.  After graduating from PAMC, Ann began her lifelong career as an educator.  She was united in marriage to Thomas (Tommy) Jackson Welch, Sr. on June 11, 1953.  As a wife and mother, Ann continued to teach at Goodwell and Plainview, Oklahoma; Gruver, Texas;  and Elkhart, Kansas; teaching at both primary and secondary levels, from first grade to high school English.  Ann also helped her husband in their business, serving the people of Texhoma at the Dawson-Welch Funeral Home.  She was an active member of Texhoma United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir.  She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Educators’ Sorority, Texhoma Eastern Star, the Sorosis Club and the Iris Garden Club.    

She is survived by three daughters, Debora Bohn and husband, Stanley of Lubbock, TX; Dawn Gandy and husband, Gene of Graham, TX; Lisa Kisner of Texhoma; one son, Thomas Welch, Jr., of Lubbock;  eleven grandchildren and their spouses, Lee Bohn of Murfreesboro, TN; Nicholas (Allison) Bohn; Narci (Paul) Brooks, all of Lubbock; Levi (Emily) Bohn of Norway; Russ (Mary) Gandy and Sara Gandy of Flowermound, TX; Cory (Desa) Wadsworth of Dalhart, TX; Kelli Wadsworth of Hooker, OK;  Ambre (Ricky) Thomas of Aurora, CO; Colby (Natalie) Welch of Hartshorne, OK; and Cayton Welch of Midland, TX.  She was also blessed with twenty-two great grandchildren, Rhys Owens; Riley, Averi, and Mason Bohn; Kate and Matthew Bohn; Jackson and Mahalia Brooks; Nathan, Taylor and Mackenzie Gandy; Sam Whidden; Tabra Elliott; Kress and Kenzie Provine; Kaemon Wadsworth; Trevor and Donovan Wadsworth; Kiera Yarbrough; Brooklyn Welch; Zavien and Jackson Thomas; and two  great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant daughter; her husband, Tommy Welch, who passed away in 2007; a brother, Arden H. Dawson, Jr.

The family will gather for visitation on Sunday evening, 6:00-8:00 PM at the Texhoma United Methodist Church, 300 W Main Street. 

Funeral services will be conducted Monday morning, April 17th, 10:00 AM, at Texhoma United Methodist Church with Rev. Steve Roach, officiating.  Interment will follow in the Texhoma Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the church or charity of choice. c/o Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, OK  73942.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send their condolences at www.hensonnovak.com.

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