Rita Welch

Born July 23, 1914 in Thornwood, W.Va., she was the daughter of Ninevah and Barbara (Waybright) Davis. Formerly of Akron, she lived in Ravenna since 1995.

Mrs. Welch was a cook at Ray's Place in Kent and at Vaccarro's Restaurant in Akron, and she was a machine operator for Black & Decker.

She was a member of Brady Lake Baptist Church. Mrs. Welch loved writing poetry and songs. Several of her poems were published, and she won a third-place award in the 1997 ALPHA writing contest.

Survivors include a daughter, Betty L. (Warner) Pochedly of Ravenna; five grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Her husband, Lawrence, died in 1989. Sons, Alton Davis and Author W. Carrigan, died previously, as did a daughter, Georgia Lee Lohr; brothers, June & Arlie Davis; and sisters, Vallie Mae Miller, Rosalie "Kate" Jagnow and Dessie Davis.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until services begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the Maple Grove Cemetery Chapel, Ravenna, with Rev. Jake Puckett officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery. Shorts Funeral Homes, Inc., Ravenna Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.