Frances JoAnn Wright Welch

Jo-Ann Wright Welch was born on May 5th, 1932, in Pegram, Tennessee in the family farmhouse. She lived on the farm for 91 years and unexpectedly died, on March 21st, 2024, at home during a normal day.

Jo-Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Murtie Wright and Georgie Palmore Wright; husband Charles H Welch, siblings Mattie Estes Mason, Meredith Estes, Wayne M Wright, Doris Wright Greer; nieces Linda Mason Ridge, and Donna Estes Sexton; and best friend, Dot Sawyer

Jo-Ann is survived by her daughter, LinnAnn Welch; nephew Marty E Greer; special friends, Jessica Parish, Pattie Dunn; and several cousins.

Jo-Ann battled Alzheimer’s disease for over 20 years, yet always knew she was at home near the little white farmhouse. She sharecropped much river bottom in Pegram with her family and Red Mule, plowing and planting. She particularly loved farming the old Sears Place. Jo-Ann was a life member of the Pegram United Methodist Church. She graduated from Bellevue High School in 1950 and worked at Buford Lewis Printing Company, as well as the United Givers Fund. She was happily married to Charles for 44 years. She lived with her daughter and best friend for 53 years until her last day.

Jo-Ann told it like she saw it. She had a generous heart and thought money was to help others. She was a strong independent woman and the best mother. She shaped many lives throughout the entirety of hers. She loved mowing the grass, collecting items such as bottles and glass, racing her Buick Wildcat, and caring for people who needed help. Family and friends meant everything to Jo-Ann.

Pegram, the farm, and heaven were the only places she wanted to be.