Marking the end of an era, Ila “Joan” Welsh passed away peacefully at her home in Eufaula, Alabama, on Saturday, June 7, 2025. She lived 93 remarkable years and will be missed.
Ila Pearl was born October 19, 1931, in Louisville, Alabama to the late JC Dykes and Eula Kennedy Dykes. As the eldest of nine children, she honed her leadership skills at an early age. She utilized those skills while she proudly served as a Sergeant in the Women’s Army Corps, working as a statistical analyst at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. During her military service, she met her husband, Daniel C. Welsh, in a chance encounter at Walter Reed Hospital. The exact story of their meeting has varied over the years, but the consistent thread was an undeniable connection leading to a beautiful life story. They were married at the Old Post Chapel on Fort Myer in Arlington, Virginia, and started their family after settling in Cleveland, Ohio. While their five children were young, they returned to Alabama so their children would grow up in a small town surrounded by extended family. Ila later joined Harbison Walker where she worked diligently in several roles until she retired after many years of service.
The Welsh family was blessed with Ila as the matriarch. She has been the centering force of the family through her tenacity, strength, sass, and love. She was never happier (but also maybe a bit stressed) as when she was surrounded by loved ones. As her family grew, she was so proud as each new grandchild or great-grandchild joined the fray. Never one to sit still for long, Ila enjoyed spending time cultivating her yard, fishing, entertaining, or feeding her loved ones. She could often be found enjoying the view of Lake Eufaula from her beautiful back yard. Ila’s strength, wit, and perseverance are all a part of the legacy she has woven into the fabric of the family and life she built. Her memory will carry on in each family gathering and in beautiful days spent outside.
She is preceded in death by her parents; loving husband, Daniel C. Welsh; sister, Leola Wilkes.
Survivors include one son, Daniel T. Welsh (Mendi) of Eufaula, Alabama; four daughters, Theresa Searcy of Eufaula, Alabama, Linda Bratcher (Wayde) of Eufaula, Alabama, Debbie Welsh of Johns Island, South Carolina, and Danette Stiggleman (Mark) of Ft. Myers, Florida; brothers, Cecil Dykes of Columbus, Georgia, and John Dykes of Brundidge, Alabama; four sisters, Bobbie Shelley of Phenix City, Alabama, Robbie Hughes of Phenix City, Alabama, Nell Mills of Saint Simons Island, Georgia, and Judy Cole of Midland City, Alabama; seven grandchildren, Amber Martin, Brandy Bickley (Marcus), Kristin Stiggleman, Mark Stiggleman, Jr., Bryan Bratcher (Devon), Alex Welsh (Lindsey), and Auston Welsh; five great-grandchildren, Harper Hutchison, Cooper Bickley, Walker Bickley, Bryar Bratcher, and Brixton Bratcher.
Graveside services with military honors were held Friday, June 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in the Fairview Cemetery Addition in Eufaula, Alabama. Father David Shoemaker officiated, and Glover Funeral Home directed.
Ila was a member of the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church- 533 W. Broad St. Eufaula, Alabama 36027.
