Martile Welborn Welch

Martile Welborn Welch was born in Laurel, MS, January 14, 1934 and was called home to be with the Lord on February 1, 2024, in Southaven, MS. She was the middle daughter of Blanche and Walter W “Doc” Welborn. Martile attended Union Line and Soso schools. The day after her graduation she married, William S. “Bill” Welch and her amazing journey through life began. Upon his passing on March 21, 2011 they were exactly one month short of being married for 60 years. They lived in Texas initially before returning to Mississippi, first to Purvis, and then Columbia. Job opportunities then took them to Indianapolis, IN, Alexandria, VA, and Jefferson, GA. In 1968 Mr. Billy Howard contacted them to see if they would be interested in moving back home to Jones County and help him start a new venture, Howard Industries. Known for her sense of style, she initially did interior design work for local banks and churches. A couple years later in 1971, Martile decided that she wanted to try her hand at fashion and opened a small boutique dress shop, the House of Cachet in North Laurel. This small dress shop was a trend setter drawing customers from the Delta to the Coast. It grew to a second location in downtown Laurel and finally another location in Hattiesburg. At one time she employed over 40 ladies and influenced fashion in central and south Mississippi for many years. Her benefit fashion shows were quite the production selling out the Arabian Theater each and every time. A major downturn in the oil industry, and the general economy caused a big change in their lives, so in 1984 she and Bill moved to Little Rock, AR. She once again reinvented herself becoming a top producer of high-end properties for Better Homes and Gardens Realty. They retired to Brandon, MS, in 1994 and remained there until 2007 when they moved to Southaven, MS, following their son and daughter-in-law to the Memphis area. She and Bill remodeled or built over a dozen homes and she decorated them all exquisitely. Since she was a young child she had a love of cooking, standing on a stepstool at her mother’s side daily in the kitchen. Martile enjoyed traveling and visited all 50 states, several islands in the Caribbean, and a few foreign countries. Probably their favorite place to travel was to their mountain home on the border of North Carolina and Georgia sitting on Ramey Mountain overlooking beautiful Lake Chatuge. After Bill’s passing in 2011 and until recently, Martile and her puppy (Abby) would load up her SUV and travel the 7 1/2 hours to her mountain retreat. Martile impacted lives and had close friends everywhere she lived, all over the country. She loved her dear neighbors and friends in her neighborhood of Snowden Grove. She cooked for and cared for so many there over the years, and they certainly reciprocated when she needed it. Especially, her best friend, Carol Walker. She is survived by her son, Steven and his wife, Patty of Memphis, TN; her sister Blanche Lorraine “Skeeter” Neal of Fallbrook, CA; sister-in-law Nina Welch of Soso, MS; in-laws Carolyn and Robert Sullivan of Oak Grove, MS; Janet and Ronnie McNair of Ridgeland, MS; and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces/nephews. Many thanks to Cathia Guerrero and Carmen Clarenson who assisted us in caring for her these last few months. We appreciate and love you. She asked that any memorials be made to Soso First Baptist Church in Soso, MS or Maples United Methodist Church in Olive Branch, MS. A graveside service will be held at Union Line Cemetery on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 1:00 PM, with Daniel Hathorne officiating. To sign the online guest book, please visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Martile Welborn Welch

January 14, 1934 - February 1, 2024