WELKER, Joan Frances

Arizona Silver Belt, Globe, Arizona, Tuesday, July 07, 2015 Joan Frances Tabor Welker, passed away in her home on May 5, 2015 surrounded by her loved ones. She was born Nov. 28, 1942 in Morenci, Ariz. to Eugene Debs Tabor and Georgina Mary Beck Tabor. She graduated from Globe High School in 1960 and later earned an Associate’s Degree from EAC Gila Pueblo, graduating as the Valedictorian of her class. On New Year’s Eve 1961, Joan met the love of her life, John Arlon Welker Sr. (Rusty). They were married on April 14, 1962 in Winkelman, Ariz. The two of them spent the next 38 years building a wonderful life for themselves, kids and grandkids. After Rusty passed away on Dec. 17, 1999, not a day went by that she didn’t miss her soulmate. Joan loved life and her family with a passion. Her happiest moments were times spent with family, cooking fantastic meals and visiting for hours. Joan was a very talented artist and crafter. She created beautiful oil paintings, tole painted pieces, ceramic pieces, afghans and quilts for the people she loved. Family history and genealogy was her life-long passion and she worked most of her adult life compiling stories and tracing ancestral lines back to the 1400s. Joan was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, Rusty. She is survived by her sister, Janet Tabor; her daughter, Connie Teague (Billy Stephenson); sons, John A. Welker, Jr. and Eugene T. Welker (Delletta); 14 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.