Mary Jane (Epley) Welch

Mary Jane (Epley) Welch, 76, of Owensboro passed away Sunday May 28, 2017 at her home surrounded by her family during her last days. She fought so hard just to have some more time to hang out with her children. Mother, friend, so dear through our life, you've always been near, a tender smile to guide the way. She was the sunshine that lit up our day. A daughter of the late Alonzo and Viola Harley Epley, Mary was born May 9, 1941 in Owensboro.

She was also preceded in death by her beloved granddaughter, Brandy Michele Welch; a sister, Joyce Barnett; and brother, Herschel Epley.

Mary thoroughly enjoyed visits from her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an avid sports fan of college basketball and football and her favorite team was the Louisville Cardinals. She was a life-long Chicago Bears fan even though, in her words, "they have stunk for the last 15 years". She was quite the sleuth since she loved to watch NCIS, CSI, Blue Bloods, Special Victims Unit and other similar shows. Mary would often say she would never get picked for jury duty because of her forensic knowledge. She worked for many years and retired as a chiropractic assistant for Dr. John Conner.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Debbie Head and Patty Vanover and son, Johnny Welch all of Owensboro; grandchildren, Krista Reynolds, Kasey Vanover, Dalton Vanover, Ashley Welch of Tullahoma, Tennessee; great grandchildren, Jacob Reynolds and Dixon Christie; sisters, Pat Hardin of Owensboro and Geraldine King of Utah; several nieces and nephews; and her furry granddog, Peyton.

Memorial contributions may take the form of donations to American Diabetes Association
2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900 Arlington, VA 22202 (www.diabetes.org)

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life on Wednesday from 3:00 till 7:00 PM at her home.