Lena Faye Welch

Lena Faye Welch of Olathe, KS passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday morning, January 26, 2023.

Lena Faye was born on April 7, 1927 in Nevada, MO to Ray Hubbard and Ruth Worthington – Hubbard.

She and her husband, Ernest Lee Welch, were married on April 27, 1947 and owned a general store in Deerfield, MO that carried everything from “soup to nuts.”

They moved to Johnson County, KS in 1970, and for a short time she worked as a bookkeeper at Montgomery Wards. She then began her career with Harper’s Fabrics at Ward Parkway Shopping Mall and managed that store and one additional store in Shawnee, KS until she retired in 1989. She was an amazing seamstress and loved displaying her latest handmade fashions on the store mannequins and helping with their annual fashion shows.

Lena Faye enjoyed music, too. When she was young, she sang and played piano in a gospel trio with her sister Vada and brother Omer.

She and Ernest served as door greeters for many years at Nall Avenue Church of the Nazarene and enjoyed attending several work & witness trips.  

Lena Faye also adored entertaining and hosting an annual New Year’s Eve party for their closest friends.

Family meant everything to her. She deeply cherished her grandchildren and delighted in their frequent visits. 

Lena Faye is survived by her sister Vada Bryant and two children, Ernest Lynn Welch and Diane Sparks, 6 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ernest and son Lee.

Lena Faye wished to have any memorial donations be made to College Church of the Nazarene or Shelter KC (formally known as Kansas City Rescue Mission).

Suggested Memorial Donations:

College Church of the Nazarene

Shelter KC