James Albert Welch

James Albert Welch, 88, Babson Park, FL passed away Monday, May 4, 2015. He was born January 21, 1927.

A native of Donalsonville, GA, Albert is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Jessie Freeman; son Ken Welch and wife Ruthie, of Babson Park, daughter Rita Slusher and husband Alan of Orlando, FL; Grandchildren Charles Anderson and Donna Anderson of Hillcrest Heights, FL, Michelle and husband Trey Heath of Babson Park, Michael Anderson and wife Arlene of Wellston, OH, Marcus Slusher of Asheville, NC; and Great-Granddaughter Briana Heath of Babson Park, sisters-in-law Ruby Welch of Tallahassee, FL, Alice Ross and husband Ralph of Lawtey, FL, Donnette Ivemeyer and husband Hank of Fitzgerald, GA, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by daughter Sherry Anderson in 2000 and his seven brothers and three sisters.

Albert served in WWII in the United States Army Air Corps. He was very active in his community, a deacon in the Babson Park Community Church and a member of the Hillcrest Heights Town Council from 1998 to 2015, serving as Vice Mayor during a portion of this time. He retired from Economy Cash and Carry, Wholesale Grocers, Lakeland, FL.

Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, May 7, 2015 at Marion Nelson Funeral Home 454 S. Buck Moore Road Lake Wales, FL. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 6, 2015 from 4:00-6:00P.M. The Reverends Joe Mattox and Paul Shenaman officiating. Burial services will immediately follow in the Lake Wales Cemetery.

Johnson-Nelson-Gill Funeral Home handling arrangements.