Oma Helen Welch, age 84, passed away December 12, 2022 at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Missouri.

She was born January 15, 1938 in Oran, Missouri, daughter of the late James Milton Ward and Bonnie Alice Bailey-Ward.

Helen was a member of Tanner Street Church of God and she had worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse for Missouri Delta Medical Center before retiring.

She is survived by two sons, Darell Lynn (Sheila) Townsend of Sikeston and James M. (Pamela) Welch of Kansas City, Missouri; one daughter, Debra Jean (Bobby) Fisher of Sikeston; one brother, James Lee Ward of Spring Lake, North Carolina; one sister, Dorothy Jo McCutchen of Springfield, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Jessica Swift, Emma Townsend, Olivia Townsend, Kurtis Welch, Brandi Welch Austin, Kenny Fisher, Samantha Fisher, Michael Fisher, Charlie Fisher, and Shelby Caputo; and ten great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by one grandson, Keith Van Meter; and her longtime companion, Henry 'Jim' Bennett.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 20, from 11:00 a.m. until time of funeral services at 1:00 p.m. at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston.

Burial will follow in the Sikeston Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Darell Townsend, James Welch, Bobby Fisher, and Kenny Fisher.

Michael Fisher will be an honorary pallbearer.

Memorial donations may be sent to St. Jude Children's Hospital.