Opal Lou Coldiron Welch

Opal Lou Coldiron Welch, age 97 of Mountain City, Tennessee went home to be with her Lord on Friday, May 20, 2011. She was born February 2, 1914 in Ashe County, North Carolina, the third child of Eli and Clyde Davis Coldiron. She had two brothers and four sisters. In July of 1934 Opal married Claude Welch. They were married for fifty-nine years. To this union were born two children: Madeline Welch Greer and Darrell Welch. In addition to her children, Opal was blessed with five grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Opal was preceded in death by her husband, son, three grandchildren, one great grandchild, two sisters and two brothers. Opal accepted Christ as her savior when she was just a teenager and became a member of the Mountain View Baptist Church of Creston, North Carolina. She remained a faithful and dedicated Christian servant throughout her life. Her church, her family and her friends were the things that mattered most to her. Opal lived life to the fullest and cherished her time on Earth. Opal is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Madeline R. and Earl Greer, with whom she lived until her death; daughter-in-law, Sue Welch; sisters: Marie Spears and Betty Reece and husband Carol; sister-in-law, Virginia Coldiron and Shirley Welch; grandchildren: Dianne Bauguess and husband Johnny, Rick Greer, Sherry Welch and special friend, Doug Slagle, Tammy Robbins and husband Blair, and Heather Barr; great grandchildren: Jonathan Bauguess and wife Alicia, Natalie Harrell and husband Adam, Lori Beth Hampton and husband Stevie, Bryan Bauguess and wife Amber, Dokken Swift and fiancé Tricia Vance, Shawna Smith, Gabbi Robbins, Cody Greer, Sarah Swift, Trey Jennings, Chevy Martin and Cameron Wright; great-great grandchildren: Evan Bauguess, Jackson Bauguess, Lily Kate Bauguess, Grayson Harrell, Matthew Swift and Taylor Swift; step grandson; Tyler Hampton and fiancé Samantha Hall and daughter Aleah Hampton and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6-9:00 p.m on Sunday, May 22, 2011 at Mountain City Funeral Home. The body will lie in state from 1 - 2:00 p.m. on Monday, May 23, 2011 at the Mountain View Baptist Church, Creston, North Carolina. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Pastors Denton Hart, Eddie Lewis, Loyd Day and Larry Shepherd to officiate. Graveside Service and Interment will follow at the Flatwoods Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Stevie Hampton, Eric Cullop, Jonathan Bauguess, Bryan Bauguess, Cody Greer, Dokken Swift, Adam Harrell and Johnny Bauguess. Honorary pallbearers are: Rick Greer, Blair Robbins and Dr. John Whitlock. At other times, the family will receive friends at the home of Opal's daughter, Madeline Greer, 753 Hospital Road, Mountain City, TN 37683. Online condolences may also be sent to family at www.mountaincityfuneralhome.com The family of Opal L. Welch has entrusted her services to Mountain City Funeral Home of 224 S. Church Street, Mountain City, TN 37683.