On August 21, 2024, Willie Beatrice (Willie B.) Bell Welch, a beloved mother, cousin, and friend, passed away to be with her Lord and Maker.

Born on November 5, 1943, in Jonesboro, Louisiana, Willie B. was the only child of Willie Lee Bell and Beatrice Burks Bell. Her early years were spent in Sacramento, California, where her father served in the military. During that time, she attended an integrated Catholic school and was baptized into the Catholic Church. Her family later returned to Monroe, Louisiana, where Willie B. attended Little Flower School until her high school graduation in 1961. After moving to Louisiana, she would talk of the difference between California and Louisiana with segregation in the 1950s. She continued her education at Grambling State University and Northeast Louisiana University.

In 1964, she united in Holy Matrimony to John D. Welch, and one child, Joan, was born to this union. Willie B. became a young widow after the untimely loss of her husband who served in the U.S. Navy.

She devoted herself to teaching at Little Flower Academy in Monroe for an accomplished 30-plus years where she cherished nurturing and educating young children, kindergarten and later pre-school.

A dedicated Catholic, Willie B. was a member of Little Flower of Jesus Church for over 60 years. After relocating to Shreveport in 2022 to be near her daughter, she continued to consider Little Flower of Jesus her home church.

Willie B. had a deep love for Monroe and the Lincoln Park neighborhood where she lived for over 55 years and always told everyone, everywhere she went that she was from there and that they should visit, especially the zoo. In retirement, Willie B. actively participated in community activities at Ouachita Council on Aging in Monroe, especially enjoying crafting, bingo and the adult coloring club.

She also embraced her new life at the Brookdale Waterview Court Independent Retirement Community in Shreveport, engaging in various activities and making many new friends. She was a member of their winning Beanbag Baseball team and was a regular participant in other activities including bingo, Pokeno, arts and crafts, restaurant outings, and weekly Catholic Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion service.

A proud breast cancer survivor, she was a strong advocate for breast cancer awareness and remained involved with the Celebrating Life After Breast Cancer Support Group in Monroe.

Willie B. left a positive impact on the lives of many with her charismatic personality and generous spirit. She leaves to cherish her memories, her daughter, Joan D. Welch; cousins; godchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

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