Dola “Dot“ Mae Hawkins Welch, 81, a resident of Elkins, passed from this life late Thursday evening, August 22, 2013 at the Hospice Inpatient Care Center in Elkins. Dot was born Thursday, October 15, 1931 in Webster County, West Virginia, a daughter of the late Herbert Calvin Hawkins and Gladys Ferne Farley Hawkins. She had been married to John J. Welch who preceded her in death. She was later married to Lester Kendrick who survives. Left to cherish her memory are three daughters; Judith J. Ferrebee and husband, David of Fairmont, Robin A. Thompson and husband, Rob of Elkins, and Delores J. Smith of Ashtabula, OH, five grandchildren, Brandy C. Boehke of Clarksburg, John P. Gear of Elkins, Cathy R. West of Ashtabula, OH, Charles Ronald Herron of Montrose, and Jillian C. Amos of Elkins, five great grandchildren, three step children, Debbie Mayle of Elkins, Daniel Kendrick of Buckhannon, and Michael Kendrick of Canada, seven step grandchildren, and six step great grandchildren. Preceding Dot in death were her two sons, Stephen P. Gear and David Lee Gear and a son-in-law, William Smith. Dot attended the schools of Webster County, and had worked as a certified nurses aide at the Memorial General Hospital. She enjoyed baking and working jigsaw puzzles, and she loved spending time with her kids and grandkids. She was a member of the Randolph County Cancer Support Group, the Elkins-randolph County Senior Center, and the Mill Creek Memorial Mission Church. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 25, 2013 at the Randolph Funeral Home from 2PM until 3PM, the funeral hour. Reverend Foster Williams, Jr. will officiate and interment will follow at the Brick Church Cemetery in Huttonsville. The family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the Mill Creek Memorial Mission Church, P.O. Box 240, Mill Creek, WV 26280.
