Annie Jean Chargois Welch

Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 4, 2014, at 10 a.m. in Crossroads Church for Annie Jean Chargois Welch, 85, who passed away on Sunday, November 30, 2014, at 9:45 p.m. in Lafayette.
Interment will be in Evangeline Memorial Gardens in Carencro. Pastor Jeff Ables of Crossroads Church will officiate at the services.
Annie Jean Welch enjoyed life, family and friends. Annie Jean welcomed everyone the same with an open door, a full plate, and lots of love. So many friends and family enjoyed her gatherings, where she would have a large pot of stew, gumbo, or French fry sandwiches cooked.
Card games of “I’ll Take It” and Dominos were always being played with grandkids, family, and friends. She had a passion for people and relationships. Large projects kept her hands busy; from making syrup with Gabe, her husband, to canning jellies and jams and making pies with Francis, her daughter. There was never a dull moment.
Swimming parties, or a cup of coffee, no one was ever turned away. No stranger ever crossed Annie Jean’s door. There was always room at the table for one more. “Ya’ll bear down” at the dinner table was a phrase we all remember well.
So many memories of a beautiful lifetime of giving and sacrifice, never withholding anything that was within the power of her hand, will be lovingly remembered by family and friends.
Annie Jean instilled in all of her children and grandchildren, a humble spirit and a heart to give and serve others, as was her focus.
The Lord planted a seed in Annie Jean and Gabe’s heart early on in their marriage. They left Hackberry, Louisiana in 1949, and moved to Lafayette. Here they started a church in North Lafayette, within their home. This was the beginning of Bethel Assembly of God. Prayer and perseverance prevailed from a tiny tent, to a building that is known today as Crossroads Church. Annie Jean and Gabe succeeded in building both their love for God and family.
Annie Jean was such a selfless lady that lived her life with an open hand, open heart, and an open door. What a beautiful day of celebration for Annie Jean’s going home to be with her Lord and Savior. Forever in our hearts we are greatful for the wonderful years of example and the love we all have come to know through her.
Philippians 3:20 – For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Survivors include two sons, James “Hoss” Welch Jr. and his wife Debra, and John Douglas Welch and his wife Brandy, all of Carencro; four daughters, Sarah “Pucci” Butcher and her husband Kelly of Carencro, Charlene “Charlie” Squires and her husband Stephen of Lafayette, Maxine “Mackie” Prejean and her husband Randy of Carencro, and Faye “Fe Fe” Melancon and her husband Chris of Breaux Bridge; one son-in-law, Louis Dupuis; one daughter-in-law, Sandra Welch; one brother, John Chargois of Sulphur; one sister, Mary Chargois of Sulphur; 20 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Welch Sr.; her parents, Albert Chargois and the former Agnes Gardner; one son, Aaron Welch; one daughter, Frances Dupuis; and three brothers, Jimmy Chargois, Joe Chargois and Eddie Chargois.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Wednesday at Crossroads Church and will continue from 8 a.m. until service time on Thursday.
View the obituary and guestbook online at www.melanconfuneralhome.net.
Melancon Funeral Home, Evangeline Memorial Gardens Chapel, 4117 N. University Ave., Carencro, (337-896-3232) is in charge of arrangements.