Alice Alexena Welder, age 85, of Newton passed away Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at HSHS St.
John’s Hospital, Springfield, Illinois.
Funeral services celebrating Alice’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at
Scott Avenue Christian Church with Pastor Kevin Colclasure officiating. Visitation will be held
from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Monday, April 17 th in the church. Burial will be in the Trexler
Cemetery, rural Jasper County, Illinois.
Alice was born on September 25, 1937, in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina the daughter of William
Edward and Alice Alexena (Rhodes O’Neal) Baum. On November 29, 1980, Alice married Robert
D. Welder. He preceded her in death on November 6, 2019. Alice owned and operated C & P
Ceramics Studio in Missouri. She was a gifted artist and enjoyed teaching the art of ceramics to
others.
Alice was a member of the Scott Avenue Christian Church. In her free time, Alice loved all
things related to the arts. She loved painting and also enjoyed crochet, quilting, sewing, bead
work and tatting. Through the public library, she was hosting “Tatting with Alice”. She will be
remembered as a loving mom, grandmother and dog mom. She will be missed by her Boston
terrier, Bouncer.
She is survived by her children Jackie Christian of Statesville, NC, Cynthia Christian of
Richardson, TX, Donald (Kelly) Christian of New Mexico, Martin (Becky) Christian of Florida,
Pamela Christian of Missouri and Anthony (Vaneta) Gilio of Newton; numerous cherished
grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren.
Her parents, husband Robert, daughter Wanda Bowles, grandchild Rafa Lopez and brothers
Daniel Baum and William Baum preceded her in death.
Memorial gifts may be made to the family for expenses.
Online condolences may be offered at www.crainfuneral.com.
