A tribute of love in everlasting memory of Portia Luzette Gadson Welcher, Tuesday, February 22, 1994, 1:00 in the afternoon, Beulah Grove Baptist Church, Augusta, Georgia, Reverend Dr. Sam Davis, pastor

Touch Yorovbody'y Life
Touch somebody's life with your goodness, goodness. Touch somebody's life with your low : Touch som ebody's life with understanding, For that's the only way to show our Father's low .
'ouch somebody''s life with your mercy, mercy, mch somebody's life with your peace, mch somebody's life with your joy, J it's am azing how yo u r ow n life will increase.
ch som ebody's life with y o u r patience, patience, tch somebody's life with a helping hand. >ch som ebody's life with y o u r example, J He will bless your journey through this barren land.
mch som ebody's life as yo u p a ss them, ou may never pass that close again, it's notfar, reach out in love and touch somebody, You'll be surprised how soon that same touch ( 'omes back to you.
RAYMOND RASBERRY

Aciibe ^Pallbearers
Brotherhood Ministry of Beulah Grove Baptist Church
ICtmxrrartJ ^pallbearers
Business and Professional Women Health Care Ministry Chi Eta Phi Sorority
Missionary Society - Beulah Grove Baptist Church Staff of Ward 1-E - V.A. Medical Center
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"When I Must Leave You "
When / must leave you fo r a little while Please do not grieve and shed wild tears And hug your sorrow to you through the years. But start out bravely with a gallant smile
Andfo r my sake and in His name Live on and do all things the same Feed not your loneliness on empty days But fill each waking hour in useful ways. Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer And J in turn will comfort you and hold you near And never, never be afraid to die For I am waitingfo r you in the Sky!
LOVE ALWAYS, "Po-Po"
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The family of Mrs. Portia Welcher would like to express heartfelt gratitude to all of our friends for helping us through tins most difficult time. We love Portia dearly and we know that you loved her also We shall respond to each of you at a later date Please know that we love you and appreciate your kinSness.

A ^Tribute of Wtfbe
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Tuesday, February 22, 1994 1 00 In The Afternoon
BEULAH GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH Augusta, Georgia
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Reverend Dr Sam Davis. Pastor

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Mrs. Portia Luzette Gadson Welcher, bom August 6, 1949, a devoted wife and mother, entered into peaceful eternal rest, Friday, February 18, 1994.

Portia, (affectionately - "Po-Po") was bom in Fairfield, Alabama, the first bom child and daughter of Mr. Clarence L. Gadson of Ix>s Angeles, California and Mrs. Marv B. Gadson of Bessemer, Alabama. As a young adult, Portia's parents taught her the meaning of "God is" and with that Christian foundation she embarked upon a fruitful life.

Portia's early education was received in the public schools of Jelferson County, Alabama, where she was actively involved and excelled in academics and in other extra curricular activities. She received the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Goshen College, Goshen, Indiana and a Master of Nursing Degree from the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia.

When Portia and Freddie were married, she moved to Augusta, Georgia and became actively involved in numerous church, civic, and social organizations She was one of the first Black nurses hired by the Veterans Administration Hospital with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. She was employed at the V.A. Hospital as Nursing Supervisor for 23 years.

Portia served in her church in many capacities. She was a member of the Beulah Grove Inspirational Chou for several years. She became actively involved in the Health Care and Prayer Ministries at Beulah Grove and served as president of both organizations. She was actively involved in the Missionary Society of the church through her service in the Business and Professional Women. Portia was also active m her Nursing Sorority, Chi Eta Phi, where she touched and inspired others to reach greater heights.

She leaves to cherish her everlasting memory, her husband, Freddie; three sons,

Sgt. Kwane Ememke Welcher, Bad Kxeuznach, Germany, Kwesi Nverere

Welcher, Atlanta, GA, and Kamau Iman Welcher, Augusta, GA; one daughter,

Naima Imani Welcher, Washington, DC; Portia's parents, her father, Mr.

Clarence L. Gadson, Los Angeles, CA; her mother, Mrs. Mary B. Gadson,

Bessemer, AL. Portia will also be missed by her brother, Roderick Lee Gadson,

Bessemer, AL, her sisters, Glenda Wilson, Bessemer, AL and Sandra Faye

Dangerfield, Birmingham, AL; paternal grandfather, Rev. George Gadson, Sr.,

Wylam, AL; her mother-in-law, Mrs. Alice B. Welcher, Augusta, GA; five

brothers and four sisters-in-law, Mr. Roland Wilson, Bessemer, AL, Mr. Eliser

Dangerfield, Birmingham, AL, Mrs. Debra Gadson, Bessemer, AL, Mr. and

Mrs. Hannie J. Welcher, Sr., Mr. and Mrs Hawthorne E. Welcher, Sr., Mr. and

Mrs. Gregory P. Welcher, Sr., all of Augusta, GA; a dear friend, Ms. Rhonda

Thomas. Fairfield, AL; and a host of other relatives, uncles, aunts, nephews,

nieces, God-children, cousins and friends.

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PROCESSIONAL ............................................"Sweet Sweet Spirit"
P R A Y E R ................................................................ Rev. Edward Coy
SCRIPTURE Old Testament .............................................. Rev. H. B. Bady New Testament .......................................Rev. Sylvester Bing
SELECTION .....................................................................The Choir "Hold To God's Unchanging Hand"
REMARKS Ms. Rosa Clemons - VAMC Co-Worker Mrs. Alebena Rogers - Neighbor Dea. Theodore Sturgis - Deacon Dr. Keith Sue-Ling - Health Care Ministry
REFLECTIONS OF OUR M O T H ER ......................................... Dea Kwane E Welcher
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................ Mrs. Lizzie Wilhite
E U L O G Y ............................................................Rev. Dr. Sam Davis
RECESSIONAL .................. "Sing The Wondrous Love o fJesus"
- INTERMENT-
Mt. Olive Memorial Gardens

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