Louise (Welch) Somers

Louise Welch Somers, 96, passed away Sunday, September 25, 2022. She was born March 3, 1926 in Gibsonville, NC to the late Roy Ambros Welch and Mintie Whitesell Welch. Louise graduated third in her class from Gibsonville High School. She was saved as a teenager at a revival at First Baptist Church of Gibsonville and remained very active working with WMU, Sunbeams and the Young Women’s Auxiliary. She married Paul Somers in 1946 and continued to live in Gibsonville before moving to Raleigh in 1957. After moving to Raleigh, she and Paul joined Hillcrest Baptist Church where she served on various committees and remained a member for 64 years. She worked for Kraft Food for 20 years, East Carolina Trucking for 10 years and the State of NC for 7 years before retiring in 1996. When asked what was most important in her life, she responded “I’ve always wanted to live my life so people can see Jesus in me and to be of service to people in need”. 

A funeral service will be held 12:00 pm, Thursday, September 29, 2022 at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service Chapel, 944 Old Knight Road, Knightdale. Burial will follow at Raleigh Memorial Park. 

The family will receive relatives and friends prior to the service from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at the funeral home. 

She is survived by her daughters: Sharon S. Michaels, Carol S. Perry, Terri S. Emory; grandchildren: Misty Tripp, Ashley Blair (Ryan), Danielle Emory, Shawn Emory, Shelia Hickman (James); eight great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; siblings: Jean W. Andrews, Shirley W. Gilliam, Carl Welch. 

In addition to her parents, Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Frederick Somers; son, Alan Duane Somers; siblings: Winfred Welch, Aleene W. Abee, Arthur Welch, Margaret W. Hicks and Pat Welch.   

Flowers are accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Hillcrest Baptist Church, 3800 Hillcrest Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610 or Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.

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